The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) has named 14 winners and runners-up in its annual wildlife photography competition. The contest featured images from across the UK and Ireland, with the top shots destined for the organization's 2027 calendar.
The 800-entry quest for the 2027 BIAZA calendar
The scale of this year's competition highlights a growing public interest in wildlife documentation, with over 800 entries submitted for review. According to the report, the judging process focused on three primary pillars: image quality, composition , and content. The ultimate goal of the competition is to illustrate the beauty of nature and the operational excellence of zoos and aquariums across the British Isles.
The winning images will be curated into the BIAZA 2027 calendar, which the organization intends to use as a tool for nature advocacy. To further anchor the publication in the world of natural history, the calendar will specifically highlight significant dates for conservationists, including the birthday of legendary naturalist David Attenborough.
From Colchester Zoo's muddy elephant to Norfolk's blue Vulturine
The awards spanned a diverse array of species and environments, with several photographers securing top honors for their technical precision. Thomas Harris took first place in the Mammal category for his image titled 'Still I Rise,' which depicts a mucky elephant at Colchester Zoo. In the Birds category, Gareth Clifford won for his striking photograph of an electric blue Vulturine captured at the Norfolk Wildlife Reserve.
Other gold-medal winners include David Lynch, whose 'Mid-nap breather' shot of a reptile at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth won its category, and Ellie Richard, who captured a speckled crab at the Bournemouth Oceanarium to win the Invertebrate category. peter Baird's 'Forest Lantern,' a glowing image of a mushroom, took first place for Native Species, while Jess Reddy's 'Eye of the Lion' secured the top spot in the Fish category.
The competition also recognized high-quality runners-up. These included Fred Wall's gorilla portrait 'Our Endangered Brothers' from Twycross Zoo and Jonathan Isaacs' image of a nesting yellow bird at Marwell Wildlife Conservation. Other notable mentions include Jagz Bharth's 'The Singing Skink' from Hertfordshire Zoo and Celyn Stephens' stag portrait, 'The Watcher.'
Why the 'Human' category signals a shift in conservation storytelling
A significant evolution in this year's awards was the introduction of the 'Humans' category. This new group was specifically designed to highlight the individuals working on the frontlines of animal conservation. Gareth Clifford achieved a double victory by winning this category with his photograph 'Early Rounds,' also taken at the Norfolk Wildlife Reserve, while Jo Brown earned a runner-up spot for a shot taken at Whipsnade Zoo.
As BIAZA reported, this shift in focus is intended to bridge the gap between the animal and the caretaker. dr Jo Judge, the CEO of BIAZA, stated that the photography demonstrates the "vital work of our member zoos and aquariums in welfare and conservation." By centering the human element, the organization is moving toward a more holistic narrative of conservation—one that acknowledges that the survival of these species depends on the daily, often unseen, labor of specialists.
Unresolved details on the 'Forest Lantern' and 'Eye of the Lion'
While the report provides specific locations for most winners, such as the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth or the Bournemouth Oceanarium, it leaves some gaps.. Specifically, the source does not disclose the exact locations where Peter Baird captured the 'Forest Lantern' or where Jess Reddy photographed the 'Eye of the Lion.'
Additionally, while the report mentions a "rigorous selection process," it does not detail the specific credentials of the judging panel or whether any financial prizes were awarded to the 14 winners. The current reporting focuses primarily on the prestige of the 2027 calendar placement rather than monetary incentives.
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