A stunning white wolf, an extreme manicure, and a basking goldcrest were amongst the images which bagged an award at the 2016 national zoo photo awards.The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) announced the winners of its annual photography competition, sponsored by Wildlife Vets International, at its 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony hosted by Marwell Zoo, Hampshire.Olivia Walter, WVI’s Development Manager who presented the winners with their awards at BIAZA’s dinner, said, “WVI is delighted to have sponsored BIAZA’s photo awards.“WVI has long term supporters amongst the BIAZA membership. Not only as financial supporters but also as facilities where vets can deal with endangered species and disease up front and take that knowledge to disease in the wild. In addition, invaluable techniques and equipment have been fine tuned in a safe environment before being used in the middle of no where.”  

  Dozens of entries were submitted with shots conveying life in a BIAZA collection, work behind the scenes and wildlife in the wild in connection with the zoo or aquarium’s conservation work. The competition is open to staff, members of volunteers of BIAZA zoos and aquariums and is judged by two BIAZA representatives and two external judges on technical quality and aesthetics. The winners of the 2016 awards were: Life in a BIAZA Collection Winner – The White Wolf – Phil Mumby, Longleat Safari Park Commendation – Quarantine – Beau-Jensen McCubbin, Brent Lodge Animal Park Commendation – Rare as Jewels – Tal Chohan, West Midland Safari Park     Behind the Scenes in a BIAZA Collection Winner – Extreme Manicure – Rebecca Willers, Shepreth Wildlife Park

Commendation: Endangered Vulture Zulu Being Trained – Louise Larcombe, Tropical Butterfly House Commendation: Second Innoculation and Microchip Session – Tal Chohan, West Midland Safari Park   Wildlife in the Wild Marbled (Black and) White – James Felton, West Midland Safari Park

Basking Goldcrest  David Powner, West Midland Safari Park The Vain Jackdaw – James Felton, West Midland Safari Park   Threatened Species Golden – James Denman, The Deep

Cameratrap Fox Pursuing Hedgehog – Horticultural Department, Zoological Society of London

  Dr Kirsten Pullen, CEO of BIAZA, said, “BIAZA’s Annual Photographic Awards highlight not only the stunning animals visitors can view when they come to a BIAZA zoo, but behind the scenes and field conservation work being carried out by our members. “We were delighted with the quality and standard of the entries we received! I would like to congratulate our winners and thank everyone who entered the 2016 competition.”   We are currently raising funds to provide veterinary support for the 2016 translocation season.

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