Big Cat Photographer Steve Winter Reflects on Conservation, P-22 and His New Book
Photojournalist Steve Winter discussed his long career documenting big cats and his new book with Sharon Guynup, "Big Cats." His images and reporting helped drive legal protections for big cats in the United States, expose abuses at Bangkok's Tiger Temple, and inspire a wildlife crossing after he photographed the cougar P-22 near the Hollywood sign. Winter credited scientists and local people for teaching him about the animals and said he remains hopeful about their future.
Steve Winter is a photojournalist who has spent decades documenting big cats, largely for National Geographic, though he did not begin professional animal photography until age 34. His work with Sharon Guynup includes the 2026 National Geographic Books retrospective "Big Cats." Their reporting helped change U.S. laws, exposed abuses at Bangkok's Tiger Temple, and contributed to the P-22 photograph that spurred a Highway 101 wildlife crossing.
Winter's famous cougar image required 15 months of camera-trap work in Griffith Park with biologist Jeff Sikich. The book examines both conservation gains and ongoing threats. Winter credits scientists and local residents as key teachers, and notes that cougar, puma and mountain lion are common names for Puma concolor.
This story may deepen public interest in big-cat conservation by linking striking photography to concrete outcomes such as wildlife crossings, legal protections and scrutiny of captive-tiger venues. Readers, wildlife advocates, policymakers and communities near busy highways could be affected if awareness translates into support for safer animal movement and stronger enforcement. It may also encourage other photographers and journalists to collaborate with scientists and local residents, though the actual influence on policy or public behavior would depend on how widely the work is seen and acted upon.