12 award-winning photos of animals from zoos and aquariums around the world
Samantha Grindell
- The British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA) holds an annual photo contest for pictures taken by zoo and aquarium staff and volunteers.
- BIAZA just announced the 2020 winners, celebrating zoos and aquariums that are protecting animals amid the stress of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Twelve photos were honored across four categories for the 2020 awards.
- The winners include a shot of a diver swimming with a shark, a photo of a boy walking alongside swimming penguins, and a close-up picture of a gibbon with a heart-shaped nose.
"The Boy in the Red Coat" won first prize in the Life in a BIAZA Collection category.
Robert Everett captured a young boy walking past a group of penguins swimming in their enclosure at the Chester Zoo.
The top of the glass isn't available in the photo, creating the illusion that nothing but air separates the boy from the water.
"I think this picture perfectly represents how up-close experiences with animals in good zoos can inspire a lifelong fascination with nature," Everett said of the photo.
Chris Townsend was the runner-up in the Life in a BIAZA Collection category for "Return of the Mac(aque)."
Taken at the Newquay Zoo Wild Planet Trust, the photo shows a Sulawesi black crested macaque looking directly at the camera.
The black-and-white filter adds drama to the photo, and the animal looks distinctly wise in his gaze.
Alyson Houston's "Markhor Overlooking His Enclosure" was highly commended in the same category.
Houston photographed the markhor from behind at the RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, capturing its view of the surrounding mountains.
The angle allows the viewer to empathize with the animal on a deeper level, encouraging you to think about what it sees each day.
"Hold Your Gaze" by Donovan Lewis won first place in the Behind The Scenes category.
Taken at the Blue Planet Aquarium, Lewis snapped a shot of a diver and a sand tiger shark swimming together.
The detail in the image is startling, with the shark's teeth and open mouth looking ominous as he turns toward the diver.
The punny "Owl have to be weighing you" was the runner-up in the Behind The Scenes category.
Niall Owen snapped this sweet shot of a great grey owl being weighed at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.
The owl sits on a scale, looking off to the right as it's weighed. The close-up shot allows the viewer to see the bird in a new light.
A human reaches toward the young owl in the shot, reinforcing that he's in a zoo environment.
Emma Lawlor's "Even giants start small" captures a moment of transition.
Taken at Sparsholt College, Lawlor documented giant katydids hatching.
Four katydids hang from a tree, stretching out as they embark on their adult lives. Their wings aren't fully developed yet, and the anticipation of their growth is imbued in the photo.
Eleanor Stobbart's "Thao whipping frogs" won first place in the Hearts and Minds category.
Taken at the Paignton Zoo Wild Planet Trust, a baby Thao whipping frog sits on an adult frog in this photo. They both look directly at the camera, and their gazes seem all-knowing.
The picture is both adorable and mesmerizing, as the close angle highlights the details of the animals, like the etchings around their eyes.
"Nifty nose" was the runner-up in the Hearts and Minds category.
Samantha Allworthy documented a prehensile-tailed porcupine at the Longleat safari park.
The porcupine walks toward the camera on a tree branch. The animal's natural beauty shines through in the photo, with the porcupine's quills, paws, and nose taking center stage in the image.
"Ethiopian Mountain Adder" by Daniel Kane was highly commended in the Hearts and Minds category.
Kane's shot, which was taken at the ZSL London Zoo, allows viewers to get intimate with a snake.
The finished product is equal parts beautiful and disarming, and it feels as though the snake is inches away from your face as you stare at the photo.
Jo Thrower's "Wearing her heart on her nose" took home first place for the In The Moment — people's choice category.
Thrower snapped this close-up shot of a Siamang gibbon named Beatrice at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.
The animal gazes upward in the photo, which was taken from a close distance. Her mouth and nose are at the center of the shot.
"While Beatrice took some time to herself, away from her rowdy boys, it was a rare opportunity to capture her heart-shaped nose," Thrower said of the picture.
"Mischievous kit" was the In The Moment runner-up.
Leanne Aldred captured a candid moment with a baby binturong at the Wingham Wildlife Park.
The kit is eating in the picture, and his open mouth almost makes it seem like he's grinning. The playful photo invokes joy.
"Perfectly poised" by Clare Wilkie was highly commended for the In The Moment category.
An American alligator dips its feet into water in Wilkie's photo, which was taken at the Crocodiles of the World zoo.
The alligator's eye gleams as it sinks into the water, and its multicolored scales shine in the bright lighting.
You can learn more about the BIAZA awards here.
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