Canadians Shine at Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards

A stunning photograph capturing a swarm of western toad tadpoles has earned Canadian photographer Shane Gross the prestigious title of Adult Grand Winner in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the U.K.'s Natural History Museum. His evocative image, titled *The Swarm of Life*, showcases the delicate beauty and interconnectedness of nature, highlighting a species that faces threats from habitat loss.

Gross, who grew up in Regina and has spent time in both the Bahamas and Vancouver Island, was one of two Canadians recognized in this year's awards. The other honoree, John E. Marriott from Canmore, Alberta, won in the "Animal Portraits" category for his striking photo of a family of lynx in the Yukon. The competition drew an impressive 59,228 entries from 117 countries and territories.

The award-winning photograph was taken while Gross snorkeled through lush carpets of lily pads at Cedar Lake on Vancouver Island. The image portrays dozens of western toad tadpoles, a species currently classified as near-threatened due to environmental pressures. Kathy Moran, chair of the jury, expressed admiration for the photograph's captivating interplay of light and energy, which vividly conveys the connection between the tadpoles and their aquatic environment.

In addition to his recent accolade, Gross is recognized as a marine conservation photojournalist with a global focus on documenting underwater life. His work was previously featured in a CBC News documentary titled *Shane Gross: Capturing Humanity's Impact on Ocean Life*. Competition judge Tony Wu remarked that Gross's photograph immerses viewers in an extraordinary migration, revealing the hidden wonders even in seemingly ordinary settings.

Marriott's award-winning image also sheds light on environmental challenges; he meticulously tracked a family of lynx for nearly a week to capture their essence without disturbing them. The museum noted that climate change poses significant threats to wildlife like lynx by diminishing their prey availability.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year award has been celebrating exceptional nature photography since its inception in 1965. This year marks its 60th anniversary, with an exhibition featuring 100 awarded images set to open at the Natural History Museum on October 11, 2024.