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  • Abdilahi Musa Manga, 54, poses in the brush near Hingawali village outside Lindi, Tanzania April 28, 2006. Manga killed a female lion and also shot and injured another male lion during an outbreak of man eating. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Abdilahi Musa Manga, 54, poses in the brush near Hingawali village outside Lindi, Tanzania April 28, 2006. Manga killed a female lion and also shot and injured another male lion during an outbreak of man eating. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • An early morning scene in the village of Navanga, Tanzania where man eatign lions have terrorized the villagers. Ami Vitale
    2006_Tanzania_Lion_05.jpg
  • Abdilahi Musa Manga, 54, poses in the brush near Hingawali village outside Lindi, Tanzania April 28, 2006. Manga killed a female lion and also shot and injured another male lion during an outbreak of man eating. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC0197b.jpg
  • BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA:  A man looks out the window of a diner in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA:  A man raises hit hat while standing on the streets of Buenos Aires.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: An Argentinian man stands on on the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina.  .(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA:  A man climbs over a wall in a residental area of  La Boca in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The area of La Boca is known for it's European influence. .(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    2001_Argentina_03.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_8478.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook stands in the doorway of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7917.jpg
  • Supporters of a protest against coal mining on the steps of the West Virginia Capitol sit and watch as people shave their heads. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7448.jpg
  • On the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol, Paula Swearengin shaves the head of Tori Wong of Virginia. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "Watch out, King Coal," Swearengin said, "because here come the Queens of Appalachia." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7320.jpg
  • A woman protests mountaintop-removal mining in West Virginia. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7143.jpg
  • On the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol, Paula Swearengin shaves the head of Tori Wong of Virginia. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "Watch out, King Coal," Swearengin said, "because here come the Queens of Appalachia." © Ami Vitale
    TAN_5668.jpg
  • Laundry hangs outside the home of Marilyn Mullens in Cool Ridge, West Virginia, where mountaintop-removal mines are abundant. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Mullens organized the Memorial Day protest against mountaintop-removal mining: "We just want people to be aware. Know that every time you turn on a light switch . . . someone here is paying for that with dirty water, with air that they can't breathe." © Ami Vitale
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  • 2006_Tanzania_Lion_017.jpg
  • A Tanzanian rides their bike home near sunset in the village of Mnolela. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey. Ami Vitale
    2006_Tanzania_Lion_014.jpg
  • 2006_Tanzania_Lion_013.jpg
  • Ahmad Libanda talks about his son Hasan Ahmad who was killed by a lion in their corn field in Nkung'uni village. Ami Vitale
    2006_Tanzania_Lion_011.jpg
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks through the tall grass with her child near sunset in the village of Simana. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking fo prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • Hassan Dadi, who lost his arm after a lion ripped it off plays with his friends near a swimming hole inthe village of Usuru, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks home near sunset in the village of Usuru. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • Children pretend they are lions waiting to eat a villager in the village of Simana, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • Dairen Simpson prepares to check the traps at sunrise near the villae of Mnolela, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian walks from his field near sunset in the village of Simana. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • Dairen Simpson, also known as "Bwana Simba" or "Mr. Lion"drags a goat through the bush to attract lions  to his scent for his traps near Simana, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • The village leader of Navunga watches as Dairen Simpson lays a trap near Baghdad, the place of Osama in Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • Villagers carry a goat that will be used as bait to try and trap a lion as Dairen Simpson walks behind them on the way to a place they call "Baghdad" because of the dangerous lions that are known to live there.
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  • Ahmad Libanda stands in the corn field where his son Hasan Ahmad was killed by a lion in Nkung'uni  village. Ami Vitale
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  • Dairen Simpson begins to set up traps near the village of Simana, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • Quss M. Bani talks about his sister Somoe Linyambe, 40 who was the last victim of a lion attack outbreak that occurred in Nachunyu village in May 2004. Ami Vitale
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  • Villagers watch as lion researcher Dennis Ikanda and trapper Dairen Simpson look for lion prints in Navanga, Tanzania. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
    _DSC0112.jpg
  • A Tanzanian walks from her field near sunset in the village of Mnolela. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
    _DSC0101b.jpg
  • Dairen Simpson examines a lion print outside a hut in the village of Navanga, Tanzania. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
    _DSC0080.jpg
  • Ahmad Libanda talks about his son Hasan Ahmad who was killed by a lion in their corn field in Nkung'uni  village. Ami Vitale
    _DSC0062.jpg
  • Dairen Simpson is blessed by a local bush doctor as villagers look on in Simana, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • A villager near Navanga describes seeing lions roaming around the area. Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian rides their bike home near sunset in the village of Mnolela. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
    _DSC0117.jpg
  • Somoe Mohamed, left, the mother of Hassan Dadi, who lost his arm after a lion ripped it off, gathers water at sunset in the village of Usuru, Tanzania. Sunrise and sunset are very dangerous times for the women to be outside because of the lion attacks. Ami Vitale
    _DSC0100.jpg
  • A Tanzanian woman walks from her field near sunset in the village of Mnolela. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
    _DSC0097.jpg
  • Hassan Dadi, who lost his arm after a lion ripped it off plays with his friends near a swimming hole inthe village of Usuru, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
    _DSC0089.jpg
  • Hassan Dadi, 10,  who lost his arm after a lion ripped it off goes fishing with his friends near a swimming hole in the village of Usuru, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • Dairen Simpson, also known as "Bwana Simba" or "Mr. Lion" prepares  to set up traps to catch lions in a village near Nangali, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • Tanzania: A villager sits outside his hut in Simana village, close to Baghdad, where lions have terrorized the communities.
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  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_8493.jpg
  • Charles Bella of Blair, West Virginia plays with his dog outside his home. "I worked on the mountaintop mine," Bella said. "That comes back and haunts me to this day. I was part of destroying my own community." Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_8328.jpg
  • Charlie and Donna Branham met in high school and married shortly thereafter. Donna Branham shaved her head on the steps of the West Virginia Capitol with a group of women in protest to mountaintop-removal mining. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "People don't know how hard it is on the Appalachian people," Branham said of mountaintop-removal mining. "They have no idea. And they don't want to know. As long as they don't have to look at it, they can ignore it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_8050.jpg
  • Charlie Branham, a former coal miner, poses with his wife Donna outside their home in Lenore, West Virginia. Donna Branham shaved her head on the steps of the West Virginia Capitol with a group of women in protest to mountaintop-removal mining. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "People don't know how hard it is on the Appalachian people," Branham said of mountaintop-removal mining. "They have no idea. And they don't want to know. As long as they don't have to look at it, they can ignore it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_8023.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook looks out a window of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7952.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook looks out a window of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7948.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook looks out a window of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7947.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7944.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook stands in the doorway of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7933.jpg
  • Near his home in Bandytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the Webb Cemetery, where several of his relatives are buried. Bandytown is in the heart of America, where mountaintop-removal mines are abundant. Mining firms must maintain a 100-foot protective zone around such burial grounds. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7907.jpg
  • Near his home in Bandytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the Webb Cemetery, where several of his relatives are buried. Bandytown is in the heart of America, where mountaintop-removal mines are abundant. Mining firms must maintain a 100-foot protective zone around such burial grounds. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7889.jpg
  • Near his home in Bandytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the Webb Cemetery, where several of his relatives are buried. Bandytown is in the heart of America, where mountaintop-removal mines are abundant. Mining firms must maintain a 100-foot protective zone around such burial grounds. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
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  • Hershel Aleshire (right) of Blair, West Virginia which is in the heart of the Appalacian mountains, sits outside his home with his friend, Carlos Gore and ?.. He is in the heart of America where mountaintop-removal mines are abundant. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. © Ami Vitale
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  • Hershel Aleshire of Blair, West Virginia which is in the heart of the Appalachian mountains, sits inside his home. He is in the heart of America where mountaintop-removal mines are abundant. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. © Ami Vitale
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  • On the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol, Paula Swearengin shaves the head of Tori Wong of Virginia. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "Watch out, King Coal," Swearengin said, "because here come the Queens of Appalachia." © Ami Vitale
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  • On the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol, Paula Swearengin shaves the head of Tori Wong of Virginia. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "Watch out, King Coal," Swearengin said, "because here come the Queens of Appalachia." © Ami Vitale
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  • Donna Branham of Lenore, West Virginia, hugs her friend on the steps of the West Virginia Capitol, just minutes before they both shave their heads in protest to mountaintop-removal mining. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "People don't know how hard it is on the Appalachian people," Branham said of mountaintop-removal mining. "They have no idea. And they don't want to know. As long as they don't have to look at it, they can ignore it." © Ami Vitale
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  • On the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol, hair falls on a woman who had her head shaved to protest mountain-top removal mines. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "Watch out, King Coal," Swearengin said, "because here come the Queens of Appalachia." © Ami Vitale
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  • Paula Swearengin gets her head shaved by the late Larry Gibson, founder of the Keeper of the Mountains Foundation. On Memorial Day 2012, Swearengin and Gibson joined more than a dozen women (and a few men) on the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston to have their heads shaved to protest mountaintop-removal mining. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "Watch out, King Coal," Swearengin said, "because here come the Queens of Appalachia." © Ami Vitale
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  • Vicki Shelton smells flowers the night before she shaves her head on the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol. The shaving of their heads was symbolic of the mountains that have been stripped of all of the living things on them. It was also symbolic of the many people who are sick or dying as the result of Mountaintop Removal. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. "Watch out, King Coal," Swearengin said, "because here come the Queens of Appalachia." © Ami Vitale
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  • Dairen Simpson begins to set up traps near the village of Simana, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • Margaret teaches class 3 at the Endulen Primary school in Ngornogoro District in Tanzania September 29, 2003. She is the only Masai teacher in the school. The Masai were thrown out of the Crater in 1972 and struggle to hang onto the lands they live on now because of increasing pressure from conservationists. (Ami Vitale)
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  • Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, September 29, 2003: Wildlife graze near the Ngorongoro Crater where tourists pay extraordinary prices  to view them in luxury. Meanwhile, the Masai have been driven out of the Crater since 1972 and are not the ones profiting from the revenue brought by tourism. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks through the tall grass near sunset in the village of Simana. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking fo prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks through the tall grass with her child near sunset in the village of Simana. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking fo prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian villager watches as lion researchers examine lion prints near the village of Navanga, Tanzania. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking fo prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks through the rains near sunset in the village of Simana. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking fo prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks through the tall grass near sunset in the village of Simana. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking fo prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • A child sits next to a field with a tool that women use to pound maize into flour  near sunset in the village of Navanga. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • Village children collect water near sunset in the village of Simana, leaving them extremely vulnerable to lion attacks who catch them in the thick grass. Ami vitale
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  • Quss M. Bani talks about his sister Somoe Linyambe, 40 who was the last victim of a lion attack outbreak that occurred in Nachunyu village in May 2004. Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian childwalks home near sunset in the village of Usuru. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks home near sunset in the village of Usuru. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • Ahmad Libanda talks about his son Hasan Ahmad who was killed by a lion in their corn field in Nkung'uni  village. Ami Vitale.
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  • The children of Cosmos Mbawala, 55, Jumada, 5, left, and Salama, 3, sit outside their hut as their father talks about the attack of their brother Cosmos Chakoma, 12, who was killed by a lion in the village of Hingawali, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • Cosmos Mbawala stands with his wife Halima Salumu inside their hut where they stood when they heard the screams of their son, Cosmos Chakoma, 12, after he was killed by a lion in Hingawali village near Lindi, Tanzania. Cosmos, 12,  had just gone to see a lion that was killed in a nearby village that villagers had thought was responsible for killing others earlier in the month when he was attacked by this lion.  (Ami Vitale)
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  • Wildlife ranger Msese plays with children near Navanga village, Tanzania.
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks from her field near sunset. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian woman walks from her field near sunset. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • Dairen Simpson prepares to check the traps at sunrise near the villae of Mnolela, Tanzania. Ami Vitale
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  • A Tanzanian walks from his field near sunset in the village of Simana. The dense forest and tall grasses make villagers vulnerable to lion attacks. They have to stay late in the evening in their fields to protect their crops from rampaging monkeys who like to eat the rice and corn, forcing them to walk at sunset, the time of day when lions are out looking for prey.  Ami Vitale
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  • Quss M. Bani holds his niece Fatima Musa, 7, in their village of Mnolela, Tanzania. Fatima saw her mother Somoe Linyambe, 40, get killed and eaten by a lion when she was 5 years old in the village of Nachunyu and told her uncle that a cow had taken her because she had no idea what a lion was.
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  • Ahmad Msham, 39, a bush doctor from Chidodo settlement in Lindi, Tanzania holds a lions claw and tree roots that he uses for "white magic" when spirit lions are thought to be eating villagers. (Photo by Ami Vitale).
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  • Ahmad Msham, 39, a bush doctor from Chidodo settlement in Lindi, Tanzania holds a lions claw and tree roots that he uses for "white magic" when spirit lions are thought to be eating villagers. (Photo by Ami Vitale).
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  • Ahmad Msham, 39, a bush doctor from Chidodo settlement in Lindi, Tanzania holds a gourd with lion's hair that he uses for "white magic" when spirit lions are thought to be eating villagers. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • A stray dog that was road kill is used as bait to catch lions in the village of Simana, Tanzania. (ami Vitale)
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  • Dairen Simpson talks to villagers about lions that were walking around the village the night before in the villages of Navanga and Simana in Tanzania. He must carry a gun while he checks traps he has layed for the lions but most villagers have never seen a gun even though they are quite vulnerable ot the frequent lion attacks. Ami Vitale
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  • Ahmad Msham, 39, a bush doctor from Chidodo settlement in Lindi, Tanzania prepares a mix using maize flour and tree roots next to a kibuyu vessel that holds lion's hair that he uses for "white magic" when spirit lions are thought to be eating villagers. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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