Dubai: A picture of a cheeky monkey swinging on the tails of his monkey buddies, won Dubai resident Thomas Vijayan, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year — People’s Choice Award.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year — People’s Choice Award is part of the 51st anniversary of Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition conducted by the Natural History Museum in London.
The photograph titled ‘Fun for all ages’ won after attracting more than half of the 20,000 votes.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is one of the world’s most prestigious awards in wildlife photography.
Vijayan who was shortlisted from over 42,000 entries from across 96 countries by nine expert juries said he was honoured to receive the award.
“The wildlife, shot in their own domain of freedom reveal peace and silence and strife and waiting, with all the beauty and uniqueness of the wild. The diverse moods of playfulness, irritability, wrath, elegance and ferocity of animals pictured are amazing and irresistible. They show how the ultimate dream of a wildlife photographer is realised,” said Vijanan, who has always been fascinated by wildlife and has travelled across the world to capture special wildlife moments.
“This image is special in its own way as it was selected by the juries for the people to select,” said the Indian businessman who has been a Dubai resident for the last 20 years.
The photograph is now exhibited in museums in 60 different cities across the world.
