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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

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.