A grim drone image of a line of fire ripping through the bush in northern Australia has claimed the top prize in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.
“Bushfire,” which was taken by Robert Irwin (son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin) near the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland, received over 55,000 votes from people around the world to beat out the other 24 entries shortlisted.
Fires like the one pictured remain a huge threat to the far north peninsula — which is home to various endangered species and 30 different ecosystems. However, the image also serves as a undeniable reminder of the unprecedented fires that devastated large parts of Australia in the summer of 2019/2020, with hundreds killed, thousands of homes destroyed, and more than 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) burned.
Irwin said that for him, nature photography is about telling a story to make a difference for the environment and the planet.
“I feel it is particularly special for this image to be awarded, not only as a profound personal honour but also as a reminder of our effect on the natural world and our responsibility to care for it,” he said.
Elsewhere, the issue of human impact on the planet was also addressed in one of the highly commended entries, which shows a man in Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy in north Kenya comforting the world’s last male northern white rhino, shortly before he passed away in 2018.
“The last goodbye” by Ami Vitale, U.S.
Image: ami vitale / wildlife photographer of the year
Other highly commended entries included a sleeping Eurasian red squirrel, a hare curled up in the snow in the Scottish Highlands, and a moose encountering a dog in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
“Drey dreaming” by Neil Anderson, UK.
Image: neil anderson / wildlife photographer of the year
“Hare ball” by Andy Parkinson, UK.
Image: andy parkinson / wildlife photographer of the year
“Close encounter” by Guillermo Esteves, U.S.
Image: Guillermo Esteves / wildlife photographer of the year
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. You can view the winners of the main competition here.