Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Sleeping polar bear image wins photography award
The photo won the People’s Choice Award from 25 competitors.
'Ice Bed' (C) Nima Sarikhani/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

 
An image of a young polar bear sleeping on an iceberg has been awarded the 59th Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) People’s Choice Award.

'Ice Bed', taken by Nima Sarikhani, was voted as the best from 25 shortlisted images for the Natural History Museum’s competition.

Mr Sarikhani had spent three days aboard an expedition vessel, searching for polar bears in the thick fog off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. The ship changed course towards some sea ice, where it encountered two polar bears.

Just before midnight a young male polar bear clambered on to an iceberg, where it used its strong paws to carve itself a bed. Mr Sarikhani’s photograph captures the moment the polar bear fell asleep.

The image received the most votes from 25 photographs shortlisted by an international judging panel. Over 75,000 people voted for their favourite.

Mr Sarikhani said: “I am so honoured to have won this year's People’s Choice award for WPY, the most prestigious wildlife photography competition. This photograph has stirred strong emotions in many of those who have seen it.

“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.”

Dr Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, said: “His thought-provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss."


'The Happy Turtle' (C) Tzahi Finkelstein/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

 

There were also four entries that were named ‘Highly Commended’ in the competition.

These included Tzahi Finkelstein’s ‘The Happy Turtle’, which depicts a Balkan pond turtle and a northern banded groundling dragonfly, and Daniel Dencescu’s ‘Starling Murmuration’, which shows a murmuration which had formed the shape of a bird.

'Shared Parenting (C) Mark Boyd/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Mark Boyd’s ‘Shared Parenting’ photograph shows two lionesses grooming a cub in Kenya. Audun Rikarden’s ‘Aurora Jellies’ shows two moon jellyfish illuminated by aurora borealis in Norway.

Nima Sarikhani’s winning photograph, as well as the four Highly Commended entries, will be displayed online and in the Natural History Museum’s exhibition until 30 June 2024.

Images © Natural History Museum

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."