VICTORIA, BC — The Royal BC Museum is proud to once again host the international fan-favourite Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, opening the doors for guests to view over 100 stunning new images, February 14 to April 27.
Among the incredible photography on display is “The Swarm of Life” by Vancouver Island photographer, Shane Gross, this year’s Adult Grand Title Winner. Shane’s image, captured beneath the lily pads of a lake on Vancouver Island, shows a mass of western toad tadpoles swimming by. It was chosen out of a record/breaking 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 117 countries and territories as the overall winner.
“We are thrilled to exhibit the 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year and showcase the incredible beauty of the place we call home,” says Tracey Drake, CEO of the Royal BC Museum. “Sixty years of celebrating the world’s best nature and wildlife photographers is an incredible achievement and to have a local Vancouver Island photographer be the Adult Grand Title Winner makes this year extra special.”
Gross, whose images have been appearing in the world-renowned competition since 2018, is a fan of the annual exhibition as well as a participating photographer.
“Every year I look forward to visiting the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Royal BC Museum and to be going back this year, in its 60th year, as the Adult Grand Title Winner, with a picture taken on Vancouver Island is surreal...to put it mildly," says Gross. “I can't wait to meet other nature lovers at the museum in such a wonderful setting, surrounded by images that inspire. I hope folks walk out the museum fired up to love and protect our stunning planet and all the wonderful biodiversity she supports.”
Wildlife Photographer of the Year has captivated people around the globe with beautiful, haunting and provoking images of nature and wildlife from internationally renowned professional and amateur photographers for the last 60 years. Highlighting the incredible diversity of plants and animals that call Earth home, this exhibition lays bare the impacts and realities of global issues like climate change, conservation and animal welfare. Breathtaking nature photography is accompanied by immersive soundscapes, captivating videos, and expert perspectives inviting visitors to marvel at the planet’s beauty and diversity. Leave inspired—and empowered—to take action in protecting the natural world.
Visit the museum Flickr page for images from the exhibition for print and online use: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC1kjn.
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About the Royal BC Museum: The Royal BC Museum, which includes BC Archives, IMAX® Victoria and PARC Campus, is one of the oldest continually operating museums in Canada. A centre of learning and research, it strives to broaden our understanding of British Columbia through collections, exhibitions, outreach and community engagement. The museum celebrates the province’s diverse landscapes and the lives of the people who live here, enables research and knowledge sharing that advances our understanding of our world, and provides a dynamic place for discussion and reflection. IMAX® Victoria delivers educational and entertaining experiences that accompany the learning journey the museum offers.
The Royal BC Museum is located on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Songhees and Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt Nation). We acknowledge and respect the history of Indigenous peoples, who are our partners in museum matters and community alike.
About Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Wildlife Photographer of the Year was founded in 1965 by BBC Wildlife Magazine, then called Animals. The Natural History Museum joined forces in 1984 to create the competition as it is known today. The annual competition and touring exhibition are now run and owned by the Natural History Museum, London.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio 34, edited by Keith Wilson and with a foreword by Kathy Moran, is now available on pre-sale and will be published on 9 October 2024, RRP £28. Touring venues in the UK currently include Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery; Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; Chester Zoo; The Base, Greenham; The Beacon, Whitehaven.
International touring venues currently include the Australian National Maritime Museum and Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Australia; Royal BC Museum and Royal Ontario Museum in Canada; Statens Naturhistoriske Museum (Danish Natural History Museum) in Denmark; Montier Photo Festival in France; Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Westfälisches Pferdemuseum Münster and Naturkunde Museum Reutlingen in Germany; Palazzo della Permanente in Italy; Naturhistorisches Museum Basel (Natural History Museum Basel) in Switzerland.
About the Natural History Museum: The Natural History Museum is a world-leading science centre and one of the most visited attractions in the UK. A global source of curiosity, inspiration and joy, our vision is to build a future in which both people and the planet thrive. We aim to be a catalyst for change, engaging advocates for the planet in everything that we do. Our 350 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency in all aspects of life. Visit, join and support the Natural History Museum today. Protecting the planet. It's in our nature.
