Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition

[Catherine]

There are some amazing winners in the Wildlife Photographer of the year competition. 
What really stunned people and made them think is the fact that the photo declared Top Entry is of a dead, dehorned Rhino.
It sends a powerful message. This beautiful animal that would have photographed so well is now a dead bloody mess at the hands of poachers.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41656188

The other pictures are incredible. They capture so much of the beauty and variety of wildlife. 
But it is the stark message of the Top Entry that says it all. Because of us many animals will die.
What we do about it is the big question.

[Tobi]

The fact that such a terrible and bloody picture like that is top says a lot about the intent of the organisers, judges etc of that competition; that it is very important to highlight those atrocities. Hopefully such shocking images will make people more deeply aware on a wider scale. Let's only hope that such things will end as soon as possible. They are based on superstition and wrong thinking with no medical back-up.

I bet our own dear platy could have sent in some wonderful photos....
I am thinking of her too, having not heard from her here in a while.

[Catherine]

You are right, Platy has done some amazing pictures. Maybe we should have a section where we post our own photos. No contest, just a chance to see beautiful pictures.

The winning picture is a stark reminder of what we are doing to wildlife. It is also a very good picture and it took courage to take the picture and submit it to the contest. It was a brave act. The poachers were probably not far away and they might not like having their work documented.  
The message it sends is strong and while it won't reach those who trade in animal parts it might reach other people in the chain. If people refuse to use the animal parts or have anything to do with them  the poachers will stop making money and they will stop killing animals.

It will be hard to reach these people. After all they have been willing to buy rhino parts in the first place.