Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition returns to the Australian Museum and is currently showing with Australian photographer, Justin Gilligan, among those honored in the highly renowned international competition.

Featuring 100 powerful images, the exhibition showcase striking photographs of wildlife and nature from around the world and can be seen at the Australian Museum from 29 March – 1 June, FREE with general Museum entry.

The photographs exhibition in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) are increasingly important for the way they highlight extinction and destruction of natural landscapes.

Quick Facts

• This year’s winner is Greg du Toit, a passionate conservationist from South Africa. His photograph Essence of elephants is an innovative depiction of elephants at a waterhole.
• The winner of Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year is Udayan Rao Pawar. Just 14 years old, Pawar camped on the banks of the Chambal River in India to capture his shot of gharial crocodiles entitled Mother’s little headful.
• Australian photographer Justin Gilligan was commended in the World in Our Hands Award for his photo Hook, line and sinking, taken off the coast of NSW at Seal Rocks. The category is dedicated to exhibitting the interaction, positiv or negative, between nature and humans. Gilligan’s portrait of a grey nurse shark with a fishing hook and line lodged in its cheek continues Gilligan’s long-term interest in marine wildlife protection.
• Co-owned by the Natural History Museum in London and BBC Worldwide, the 2013 competition received almost 43,000 entries from across 96 countries.
• Photographers had until 27 February 2014 to enter this year’s WPY competition. For next years details, see www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy.
• After its Australian debut in Sydney, the exhibition will travel to Newcastle Regional Library (14 June – 10 August) and Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart (30 August – 27 October).

Quotes

“The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition continues to amaze audience across the globe with images which showcase great talent and astounding wildlife. More and more the award is becoming an avenue for raising environmental awareness ans sharing information about endangered species. Not only is the Australian Museum devoted to exhibiting the natural beauty of our world, but we are also dedicated to furthering environmental conservation. We are proud to present these breathtaking photographs.” – Frank Howarth, Director of the Australian Museum