Striding On
Emma Swift Animal Behaviour winner | Medium: oil
JUDGE'S COMMENT: This painting is just 'wow'. There was a unanimous vote for this piece with shocking colour and power at the helm. The hunch, gaze and motion of the orangutan is both compelling and haunting.
There is clear emotion and intent with this painting, and the technique is so free and brave it was celebrated by all of the judges.
A perfect balance between expressionist flare and realistic painting - a devotion to articulating the true nature and personality of this animal. Brilliant. Emily Lamb.
BBC Wildlife has teamed up again with the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) to support its internationally renowned annual competition and exhibition. This year’s competition attracted 850 artists from 55 countries, with a total of 1,654 artworks entered. The winners, runners-up and highly commended entries have now been chosen and we have a selection for you over the next few pages.
Launched by celebrated wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd CBE, Wildlife Artist of the Year epitomises his ‘Art of Survival’ legacy – a concept on which DSWF was founded. Using the power of art to celebrate wildlife, support awareness and raise vital funds for species protection is at the heart of the wildlife charity.
Since its inception in 2008, the contest has raised over £1.2 million to support vital conservation work across Africa and Asia. Finalists are invited to exhibit and sell their artworks as part of an annual exhibition, with 50 per cent of the proceeds from all sales supporting the vital conservation work of DSWF.
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Jump Around - Bagheera Kiplingi - The acrobatic spider with a predilection for veggie food
Spiders eat flies, right? everyone knows that the 45,000 or so spiders in the world are all obligate carnivores, more or less – eating other animals, mainly invertebrates. Nature, however, loves an exception, and one particular spider missed out on that ecological memo. It goes by the wonderful scientific name of Bagheera kiplingi, and its claim to fame is that its diet is – at least mostly – vegetarian.
Female of the Species - Zebras - A strong sisterhood is key to staying safe
Zebras are masters of confusion. Their collective noun is ‘a dazzle’, which is fitting since their bodies and behaviour have been surprising scientists for centuries.
See It, Save It? - Wildlife tourism can be a powerful ally in protecting nature - but it can also harm it. We weigh up the pros and cons.
The sums of wildlife travel aren’t as simple as more tourists equals happier nature. How much did my visit really contribute to the conservation of Lady Liuwa and her habitat – and was that outweighed by carbon emissions from my flights? Did my presence disturb the animals’ natural behaviour more than it reduced the threat of poaching or benefited local communities?The question of whether wildlife travel is, on balance, good for wildlife is a complex one – and there’s no simple answer.
Can Your Really Offset Emissions? - Planning an overseas wildlife-watching trip entails facing some inconvenient truths
Imagine (or maybe you don't need to) that you hanker after the safari trip of a lifetime in sub-Saharan Africa. A 17-day tour beginning at the iconic Victoria Falls, passing through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, taking in some of the continent’s most wildlife-rich national parks, and ending on the lush island of Zanzibar.
Metamorphosis: a life-changing event
WITH EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST JV CHAMARY
New series for BBC One: Asia
Settle in this autumn for a new natural-history extravaganza on BBC One and iPlayer: the longawaited Asia, presented by Sir David Attenborough.
Loss of Antarctic sea ice could impact seabird food supply
Albatrosses and petrels may be forced to fly further to feed
Tarsiers in trouble
Urgent action is needed to ensure survival of the Yoda-like primate
SNAP-CHAT
Chien Lee on shrew loos, rogue drones and being rained out of bed
VISIONS OF NATURE
The winners of the Wildlife Artist of the Year competition 2024, from David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation