Irwin’s image of bushfire biodiversity depiciting loss caused by the detrimental impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and pollution wisn Wildlife photographer of the year

Robert Irwin’s drone capturing a dramatic bird’s-eye view depicting the destruction wreaked by a bushfire in Northern Australia wins the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award 2020.  Robert Irwin, son of the late conservation activist Steve Irwin is a wildlife photographer and children’s TV personality, whose drone image was taken in Cape York, Queensland, an area of high conservation value and home to 30 different ecosystems with many endangered species, received 55, 485 votes from around the world, making it a solid winner of the People’s Choice Award 56.

Robert spotted smoke billowing out in the horizon and knew this was something he had to capture by flying his drone right into the thick of it all, managed to capture the angry, jagged orange line of the bushfire in the centre, flanked by pristine natural conservation area on one side and the blackened, smoky remains of the damage on the other.

Robert said: “ I am incredibly excited to win the Wildlife Photographer of The Year People’s Choice Award. For me, nature photography is about telling a story to make a difference for the environment and our planet. I feel it is particularly special for this image to be awarded not only as a profound personal honour but also as a reminder of our effect on the natural world and our responsibility to care for it.

Doug Gurr, Museum director said: “Robert’s image is both stirring and symbolic, as last year the world stood aghast at the devastating wildfires that struck much of Australia and this photograph depicts just one example of a staggering biodiversity loss caused by the detrimental impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and pollution.”

Shortlisted to 25 images out of more than 19, 000 entries, wildlife photography fans decided Robert’s photo depicted a vital story that needed the spotlight.

The winning image along with four highly commended photos will be displayed in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the Natural History Museum, London when the Museum reopens. The exhibition will be open until 1 August 2021.