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Images of Cecil the lion and a number of the world’s most endangered animals were projected on to the side of the Empire State Building in what has been billed as a first-of-its-kind live video projection.
The unique display, on one of the world’s most recognisable structures, held on Sunday was aimed at sparking conversations about mass extinction.
Pictures of snow leopards, tigers and various sea creatures were shown.
A 106 metre image of Cecil, the famous lion killed in Zimbabwe earlier this month, whose killing has sparked international outrage, also appeared.
Organisers said the event was a “first-of-its-kind” live video projection.
It drew huge crowds of spectators, who stopped to gaze at the display and capture their own pictures.
In all 160 species were shown, including marine mammals, insects, and even the shadow of King Kong climbing up the building.
The eight-minute sessions were repeated every 15 minutes and were visible from almost 20 blocks away.
The 102-storey Empire State Building is one of Manhattan’s highest structures, standing 381 metre tall.
The event was organised as part of a promotion for a new Discovery Channel documentary, Racing Extinction, which is set to air in December. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
Up to 40 large projectors were used to shine the striking images on to its facade.
The event was organised as part of a promotion for a new Discovery Channel documentary, Racing Extinction, which is set to air in December.
The three-hour exhibition was championed by "The Cove" filmmaker Louie Psihoyos.
The production’s costs total more than $1 million so far and are being covered in part by the philanthropic foundation created by the Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.
Photograph: Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images for The Oceanic Preservation Society