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BIAZA Photo Competition 2024 - the winners!

Posted: 11th July, 2024

New stunning wildlife photography reveals world of zoos and aquariums.

A kookaburra in flight, a stealthy maned wolf on the prowl – new stunning animal photography has been revealed by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Twelve photos have been announced as the winners and runners up in the Association’s annual Photography Competition. The charity hopes it will shine a spotlight on the work of zoos and aquariums caring for some of the most incredible species on earth.

Tropical fish darting between beams of light, a rockhopper penguin gliding underwater – the enigmatic lives of animals are showcased among the winners and runners up in a wildlife photography competition run by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, shining a spotlight on the work of zoos and aquariums.

The 12 winners and runners up feature snaps from across modern conservation zoos and aquariums. Including photos of a kookaburra in flight at Hertfordshire Zoo by Charlie-Rose King, a posing iguana at Wales’ Folly Farm by Sam Needham and spring-loaded bushbaby at ZSL London Zoo by Luke Capeling.

Dr Jo Judge, the CEO of BIAZA said: “These photos showcase the beauty of nature, a beauty that is sadly threatened. These images are testament to the vital work of our member zoos and aquariums in caring for and restoring the natural world.”

Over 400 entries were received in the competition across six categories, featuring numerous species from BIAZA’s 133 member zoos and aquariums in Britain and Ireland. A calendar featuring the twelve winning photos is available to pre-order here.

Dr Judge added “All photographers should be immensely proud. The winners and runners up are talented wildlife photographers and I am delighted we are able to give them this platform.”

Mammal Category

WINNER – Paul Schofield |‘The Twilight Strand’ | Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Photographer Paul Schofield took this photo at the end of a winter’s day, during twilight when maned wolves are most active. This wolf briefly appeared from behind the trees like a shadow, looking for food.

RUNNER UP - Luke Capeling |’Moonlight’ | ZSL London Zoo

Capturing an image of a Bush Baby is a challenging feat. Luke Capeling took this golden opportunity at just the right moment as the tiny primate jumped into the glow of the light.

Bird Category

WINNER – Aspen Turner | ‘Underwater Exploration’ | Folly Farm

The impressive diving capabilities of the macaroni penguin were truly appreciated from the underwater viewing area at Folly Farm, with great, big air bubbles floating around them as they raced around the pool.

RUNNER UP - Charlie-rose King | ‘Bombora’ | Hertfordshire Zoo

During the bird show at Hertfordshire Zoo, Bombora the Kookaburra showed off his hunting abilities when thrown a piece of food.

Fish Category

WINNER – David Hughes | ‘Tassel Filefish Amongst the Coral’ | Chester Zoo

Taken in the Chester Zoo aquarium, this striking and unusual fish has a gentle nature and lives peacefully among other fish species.

RUNNER UP - Megan Lee | ‘Ocean Glow’ | National Marine Aquarium

Photographer Megan Lee spotted this clown triggerfish gliding gracefully through its underwater realm, light filtering from above.

Reptile category

WINNER – Sam Needham | ‘Dragon’s Domain’ | Folly Farm

In the tranquil oasis of Folly Farm's Tropical Trail, this Chinese water dragon posed for an striking portrait for photographer Sam Needham. Further inspection shows that the dragon has just eaten.

RUNNER UP – Jamie Smart | ‘Tiny Toes’ | ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

This tiny dwarf gecko is easily missed by zoo visitors, furthering Jamie Smart’s resolve to capture it in a photo.

Amphibian Category

WINNER - Luke Capeling | ‘Emerging’ | ZSL London Zoo

Lew, ZSL London Zoo’s Chinese Giant Salamander, was saved from the illegal wildlife trade, offering a true success story of the care zoos can provide.

RUNNER UP- Alistair Cryer | ‘Three frogs on a log’ | Newquay Zoo

Photographer Alistair Cryer was fortunate to photograph three Amazon milk frogs at once.

Invertebrate Category

WINNER - Jamie Smart | ‘Cut Above the Rest’ | Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife Conservation Park

Eight year old Jamie Smart was so excited to see these Leaf Cutter Ants. She had seen them on television and was over the moon to see them in reality, busily moving pieces of foliage along.

RUNNER UP - Lukas Weller | ‘Onlooking Octopus’ | SEA LIFE Weymouth

The common octopus can be found in British waters. Lukas Weller captured their timid nature, with one curious alien eye emerging from the centre.

BIAZA zoos and aquariums contribute to the restoration of nature by spending over £33 million annually on conservation, undertaking 1650 conservation projects, and inspiring the next generation with 1.2 million educational visits.

Featured Photographs

Charlotte Fawkes | ‘Lying in Wait’ | Chester Zoo

One of two Sumatran tiger cubs, born at Chester Zoo last year, patiently waiting to pounce on their mother as they playfully practiced their hunting skills. With only a few hundred Sumatran tigers left in the wild, these endangered felines are one of the many species facing extinction that zoos are working to conserve.

Sumatran tigers are the smallest subspecies of tiger. Three out of nine subspecies of tiger are already extinct.

Ellie Scoot | ‘Anyone for seconds?’ | Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens

Photographer Ellie Scoot was watching clouded leopard Nimbus eat his afternoon meal, after which he rolled around on the floor, belly looking full. He then gazed over and glanced at Ellie, offering the perfect opportunity for this shot.

Alison Allen | ‘Tiger in the Sun’ | Blackpool Zoo

Amur tiger Rusty spontaneously climbs the tree to check out his new paddock in the newly built amazing Big Cat House at Blackpool Zoo.
Amur tigers are the largest subspecies of tiger and one of the rarest. There are thought to be fewer than 400 left in the wild.

Christopher Ballard | ‘Cradling The Future’ | ZSL London Zoo

This captures the moment when Western Lowland Gorilla mother Effie presents her newborn to the adoring public.

ZSL London Zoo was blessed with two gorilla babies in 2024, born to mothers Effie and Mjukuu. It is thought there are fewer than 150,000 Western Lowland Gorillas left in the wild, these births are crucial for the gene pool. ZSL provides vital conservation work in the gorillas' native West Congo and safeguards their population at London Zoo.

Joe Ewins | ‘On Lookout’ | Woburn Safari Park

Joe spent the day at Woburn Safari Park taking photographs for his University (AUB) project. Meerkats are social creatures, with members of the mob taking turns to be ‘on lookout’ for predators such as birds of prey. The dark fur around their eyes helps keep the sun from their eyes a bit like sunglasses!

Mark Blakemore | ‘Sumatran Orangutan’ | Chester Zoo

Photographer Mark Blakemore had been at Chester Zoo for a couple of days photographing and had done numerous laps of the Zoo. As the Zoo was shortly closing for the day Mark decided to have one last walk through the Islands exhibit, where the Orangutans all outside chilling and playing.

Orangutans are the only non-African great ape and were once more widely spread across Asia. The magnificent orangutan is now threatened by extinction. Chester Zoo is one of many zoos pioneering the use of sustainable palm oil to protect the rainforests from further deforestation.

See last year's winners here.