A thirsty lioness, a low-spirited sun bear, a Bengal tiger and hauntingly curious red fox are among the 100 award-winning images in the 54th Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, is showing at the National Wool Museum for only a few more weeks – featuring exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.
For over 50 years now, Wildlife Photographer of the Year – the most prestigious photography event of its kind – has been providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives almost 50,000 entries from professionals and amateurs in 95 countries, highlighting its enduring appeal.
This year’s 100 award-winning images – awarded for their creativity, originality and technical excellence – include photographs taken by Australian photographers: Georgina Steytler (Winner, Behaviour: Invertebrates) category, alongside David Gallan, Justin Gilligan, Wayne Jones and Robert Irwin (son of “crocodile hunter”, Steve Irwin), who all received Highly Commended awards.
The king of the jungle however proved to be Dutch photographer Marsel van Oosten who won the competition after capturing a pair of endangered Qinling golden snub-nosed moneys. With age not a factor in this competition, it was then 16-year-old South African Skye Meaker who took out the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award with an adorable yet vulnerable photo of a lounging leopard.
Running until July 14, this annual showcase is truly something to see with the world’s best nature photography and wildlife photojournalism and its ability to capture extraordinary animal behaviour and the breathtaking diversity of life of Earth.
“The National Wool Museum has hosted Wildlife Photographer of the Year since 2014 and we are delighted that this world class exhibition is returning once again in 2019, with an entirely new selection of images,” says Padraic Fisher, director at the National Wool Museum. “As the only place in Victoria hosting the exhibition, visitors to the National Wool Museum will be delighted and challenged by these exquisite photographs of the natural world.”
As consistently one of the most successful touring exhibitions, enjoyed by millions every year, the images tell thought-provoking stories about our planet that prompt us all to think differently about the natural world and the future we want to create.
It’s natural, it’s beautiful and it’s confronting… and this is your last chance to experience it.
Visit nwm.vic.gov.au
Photo caption: – © Skye Meaker – Wildlife Photographer of the Year