Discover the captivating winners of the 2026 BIAZA Photo Competition, highlighting wildlife and conservation efforts across various categories.
Striking Winners of the 2026 British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums Photo Contest
Mammal – winner, “Still I Rise,” Thomas Harris, African Elephant (Loxodonta africana), Colchester Zoological Society. This portrait captures Opal the elephant reveling in a mud pile, showcasing both the joy of the animal and the conservation efforts of the Colchester Zoological Society, which includes a Zambian elephant orphanage project.
This year’s BIAZA Photo Competition saw over 800 entries, with judges selecting 14 winners and runners-up spanning seven categories. Organized by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), this contest celebrates the diverse wildlife and dedicated conservation work carried out by its member institutions.
Showcasing Wildlife from Unique Angles
One of the highlights of the competition is Thomas Harris's winning photograph in the Mammal category, Still I Rise. The image provides an intimate look at Opal, an African elephant, indulging in a mud bath. The expression of joy on Opal's face encourages viewers to connect with this magnificent creature. It’s also a reminder of the Colchester Zoological Society’s conservation initiatives, including research aimed at developing vaccines for elephants and supporting orphanage projects in Zambia.
Fred Wall's close-up of a bonobo titled Our Endangered Brothers secured the runner-up position in the Mammal category. The photograph captures the intimate and expressive gaze of this endangered species, offering a powerful visual connection to humanity's closest living relatives. Twycross Zoo, where this was captured, plays a crucial role in the conservation of all four great ape species.
Birds in Their Element
In the Bird category, Gareth Clifford’s photograph Frosty vulturine impressed judges with its elegant portrayal of a vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum) during a January morning at Watatunga Wildlife Reserve in Norfolk. The subtle lighting showcases the bird’s unique colors and patterns, effectively transforming a chilly morning encounter into a breathtaking wildlife portrait.
Jonathan Isaacs also explored avian life, earning a runner-up spot with Get Weaving!, which features a village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) engaged in nest-building at Marwell Zoo. The narrative captured in this image illustrates the industrious nature of these birds and the joy visitors experience watching them construct intricate structures.
Captivating Underwater Moments
The Reptile/Amphibian category saw Dylan Lynch’s Mid-nap breather awarded as the winner. The serene image captures Friday, a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), residing in the National Marine Aquarium. This close view emphasizes the turtle’s peaceful demeanor and invites appreciation of its natural surroundings.
Continuing with the theme of reptiles, Jagz Bharth’s The Singing Skink presents an emerald tree skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina) gazing from its habitat in Hertfordshire Zoo. The image highlights the smaller yet captivating creatures that contribute to the biodiversity found in zoo environments.
Fish and the Beauty of Detail
In the Fish category, Jessamyn Reddy’s Eye of the Lion was honored with the top prize. The close-up of a fuzzy dwarf lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus) focuses on the intricate patterns surrounding its eye, creating an almost mystical effect unique to individual fish.
Runner-up Rebekah Weatherhead presented Tompot’s Pot, showcasing a tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine) in its habitat at Sealife Adventure. This charming portrayal showcases the personality of the species, emphasizing that captivating wildlife photography does not rely solely on exotic settings.
Invertebrate Insights
The Invertebrate winner, Ellie Richards, captured a porcelain crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) nestled among anemone tentacles at Oceanarium Bournemouth. This photograph reveals the fascinating relationship between species, offering a closer look at the often-overlooked creatures of the aquatic world.
Jennifer-Louise Read's runner-up entry, Cockroach Wasp, presents an emerald cockroach wasp (Ampulex compressa), emphasizing its iridescent exterior and intriguing life cycle. In a striking display, the image brings awareness to the surprising dynamics of the natural world.
Highlighting Native Species
This year's expansion of the competition included a Native Species category, exemplified by Peter Baird’s winning photograph Forest Lantern, featuring a beechwood sickener (Russula nobilis) from a Scottish woodland. This perspective broadens the scope of wildlife photography, highlighting the importance of fungi in ecological systems.
Celyn Stephens’ runner-up entry, The Watcher, features a majestic red deer (Cervus elaphus) at Margam Country Park, showcasing the charisma and intensity of one of Britain's most recognizable mammals.
A New Category Celebrating Human Contributions
This year also marked the introduction of a Human category, recognizing the integral role of people in animal care and conservation. Gareth Clifford secured the top prize for Early Rounds, capturing the dedicated work of the Watatunga Wildlife Reserve team as they check on animals at dawn.
Jo Brown’s atmospheric runner-up photograph Flooded from Whipsnade Zoo depicts the fog-laden valley beneath the zoo, transforming a routine view into a dreamlike experience, offering a unique perspective on the environment in which these animals reside.
Contributions to Conservation
The BIAZA competition serves not just as a platform for showcasing talent but also as a window into the extensive conservation efforts undertaken by its 132 member zoos and aquariums. In the previous year, these institutions contributed over 1,000 conservation projects and invested more than £34 million (around $46 million) in research and conservation efforts.
As a fitting conclusion to this impressive competition, the 14 winning and runner-up photographs will feature in BIAZA’s 2027 calendar, enabling a broader audience to appreciate the remarkable interactions captured between humans and wildlife.
BIAZA: Website | Instagram | FacebookMy Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by BIAZA.
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READ: Striking Winners of the 2026 British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums Photo Contest
