Stunning Image Of Gorilla Surrounded By Butterflies Wins Photography Competition

A stunning photo of a gorilla surrounded by butterflies has won first place in a prestigious photography competition.

UK photographer Anup Shah took the winning shot out in the Central African Republic - beating 100,190 other entries to be announced the winner of The Nature Conservancy's 2021 photo competition.

The brilliant photo shows a western lowland gorilla happily walking through a cloud of butterflies.

Competition judge Ben Folds said: "I like photos that keep dragging you in. The face. Tolerance or bliss. It's really hard to tell and the insects draw you there."

Meg Goldthwaite, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for The Nature Conservancy, said: "These images are a gorgeous and unforgettable reminder of the vibrancy and awe-inspiring power of nature.

"Year after year, we are amazed, delighted, and moved by these scenes from around the world. They remind us how connected we all are on this planet, and they energise us as we continue the important work of conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends."

Shah also got an honourable mention in the Wildlife category with an incredible shot of wildebeest running through the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

Shah said:" During the frenzy of crossing the Mara River, the wildebeests were leaping, kicking, scampering and bucking.

"Taking an 'up close' approach, I wanted to impart an uninhibited feeling. This is what I came up with after many, many failed attempts."

Elsewhere, an image of fireflies gathered around a tree before a monsoon, taken by Prathamesh Ghadekar, was given the People's Choice award.

The image was made up of 32 shots, with a 30 second exposure on each, taken using a tripod.

Ghadekar explained: "Later the images were stacked in Adobe Photoshop. This image contains 16 minutes of viewing time of this amazing tree."

In the 'People and Nature' category, Belgian photographer Alain Schroder's photo of a baby orangutan being prepped for surgery claimed first prize.

The shot shows a three-month-old orangutan named Brenda surrounded by veterinary staff.

Schoder said: "This picture document the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of an Indonesian orangutan. They are under threat from the ongoing depletion of the rainforest due to palm oil plantations, logging, mining, and hunting."

Featured Image Credit: Anup Shah/TNC

Topics: Animals, Nature, world

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19