Red Panda by Joe Beattie. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Red Panda by Joe Beattie. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition
ByMarie Louise McConville
The winners of Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition have been revealed.
The competition, which has been running for 35 years, challenges budding and amateur photographers to creatively photograph the animals and scenes of the zoo, capturing the wonder of nature while exhibiting photographic excellence.
Alyn Cairns, Zoo manager and competition judge, said the entries this year had "amazed" those involved.
"In recent years we have moved to a digital platform for the competition and we had record entries this year, with more than 750 submissions," he said.
Western Lowland Gorilla by Sarah O'Caithan. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Western Lowland Gorilla by Sarah O'Caithan. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition
"The entries were outstanding and celebrated the diversity of the species that we care for from the smallest insects to the largest mammals".
Susan Allardyce from Jessops, one of the competition's sponsors, said: "It was a pleasure to assist with the judging and to see so many fantastic images from all age groups.
"We were pleased to offer a range of canvas prints to first, second and third prize winners for each category. It’s great that more than 750 people were inspired to engage with the competition and photograph some wonderful images".
Sumatran Tiger by Edward Clarke. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Sumatran Tiger by Edward Clarke. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Rodrigues Fruit Bat by Linda Thompson. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Rodrigues Fruit Bat by Linda Thompson. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Western Lowland Gorilla by Bruce Marshall. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Western Lowland Gorilla by Bruce Marshall. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Rothschild's Giraffe by Vittorio Silvestri. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition Rothschild's Giraffe by Vittorio Silvestri. One of the prize-winning snaps entered in the Belfast Zoo’s annual photographic competition
