The late Steve Irwin's’ son Robert has won the coveted People’s Choice Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award.
Hosted each year by the Natural History Museum, more than 55 thousand votes were cast from around the world. More than 49,000 images are entered into Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition every year, but the panel of judges can only award 100 winners.
Each year the Natural History Museum chooses an additional 25 of the best images from the competition shortlist. They then ask the public to help them select the recipient of the People's Choice Award.
And this was it: A gut-wrenching shot drone shot highlighting the devastation of a bushfire in Australia. Irwin's photograph shows a fire line leaving a trail of destruction through woodland near the border of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland.
The Australian nature photographer took to Twitter to express his excitement at winning the award saying: “For me, nature photography is about telling a story to make a difference for the environment and our planet," he said. "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."
I’m thrilled to announce I’ve won the Wildlife Photographer of The Year People’s Choice Award. For me, photography is about telling important stories to make a difference for our planet. I’m humbled to receive this huge honour and shine a light on the effects of climate change. pic.twitter.com/HYGDuurpK2
— Robert Irwin (@RobertIrwin) February 10, 2021
Natural History Museum director Doug Gurr described the image as "stirring and symbolic".
