Stunning images on display at the Waterhall’s prestigious exhibition

The world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, now in its 60th year and on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will open at the Waterhall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, on Thursday, 24 October (until 20 April 2025) featuring exceptional images that capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

Using photography’s unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences, 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 global platform that showcases some of the best photography talent from around the world for nearly 60 years. Launching in 1965, today the competition receives entries from 117 countries and territories all over the world, highlighting its enduring appeal. 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.

The 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition opens for entries on 14 October and closes on 5 December 2024.

This year’s competition attracted an astounding 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 117 countries and territories. During an intense week at the Natural History Museum in London, entries were judged anonymously on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence by an international panel of industry experts.

The winning images, including the prestigious Grand Title Award winners, will be announced on 8 October 2024 during a glittering awards show hosted by wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.

Chair of the judging panel, Kathy Moran, said:

“In this selection you see species diversity, a range of behaviour and conservation issues. These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world – the beauty and the challenges. It is a powerful selection with which to kickstart a milestone anniversary.”

Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, said:

“As we celebrate sixty years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, we also celebrate the generations of visitors who have been inspired by the beauty and majesty of its images, and the millions of connections made with nature.”

Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, Co-CEOs of Birmingham Museums Trust, said:

“We are excited to welcome this internationally renowned exhibition back to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG). Opening a major exhibition in the Waterhall alongside several gallery spaces represents a big step forward in the phased reopening of the museum.

“The exhibition tells international stories about nature and will perfectly complement our own new display inside BMAG, Wild City, which looks at wildlife and the natural environment in Birmingham. 

“We can’t wait to welcome the people of Birmingham into these spaces.”

Dates and times: 24 October 2024-20 April 2025. The Waterhall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Open Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm.

Prices: £11 adult / £6 concession / children free (up to age 15) / free to members.

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