A polar bear naps on a small ice bed off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. — Nima Sarikhani/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
An image featuring a tranquil polar bear taking a nap on an iceberg has secured the coveted Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.
British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani expressed his honour in winning with the captivat-ing snapshot titled “Ice Bed,” taken off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.
Sarikhani shared that the image evoked powerful emotions, particularly hope, among viewers. In a press release, he conveyed, “Whilst climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope that this photograph also inspires hope; there is still time to fix the mess we have caused.”
The competition witnessed unprecedented par-ticipation, with over 75,000 people casting their votes. “Ice Bed” emerged triumphant from a short-list of 25 images, carefully chosen from a pool of approximately 50,000 entries. The Natural History Museum, London, is the driving force behind the Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Douglas Gurr, the director of the Natural His-tory Museum, hailed the winning photograph as “poignant” and “breathtaking.”
He emphasised its significance as a thought-provoking reminder of the vital connection between an animal and its habitat, serving as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss. —Agencies
