Two years after the infamous shooting of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, one of his sons has also been shot and killed. Xanda, a six-year-old father with his own cubs, wandered outside of protected Hwange National Park earlier this month and was legally shot by a trophy hunter. Like Cecil before him, Xanda carried a radio collar as part of a long-term scientific research effort. Conservationists now fear that Xanda’s seven cubs could die as other males vie to take over for the late pride leader. 

In her new book, journalist Stephanie Hanes challenges conservationists to look beyond their own personal narratives.

Today marks World Giraffe Day, an occasion to recognize Africa’s rapidly disappearing giants.