A world-renowned photographic exhibition is set to open in the North East.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will open at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens on Monday, February 5.
The free exhibition will feature exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.
The images shine a light on stories and species around the world and encourage a future of advocating for the planet.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a showcase for some of the best photography talent from around the world for nearly 60 years.
Launching in 1965, today the competition receives entries from 95 countries all over the world. This year’s award-winning images will embark on an international tour that will allow them to be seen by well over a million people.
This year’s competition attracted 49,957 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels. Entries were judged anonymously on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence by an international panel of industry experts at the Natural History Museum.
The winning images, including the prestigious Grand Title Award winners, were announced at a glittering awards show hosted by wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.
Jo Cunningham, Exhibitions, Collections and Archives Manager at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition from the Natural History Museum.
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"We know that our visitors will be inspired and moved by this dazzling collection of images of the natural world. The exceptional photography, skill and creativity in capturing the wonders of our planet is truly breathtaking.”
Chair of the judging panel, Kathy Moran said: “What most impressed the jury was the range of subjects, from absolute beauty, rarely seen behaviors and species to images that are stark reminders of what we are doing to the natural world. We felt a powerful tension between wonder and woe that we believe came together to create a thought-provoking collection of photographs.”
To coincide with the exhibition, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens has organised a learning and engagement programme for young people.
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