Natural History Museum showcases Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the World Economic Forum

Brought to Davos for the first time, the winning images from the fifty-fourth competition will be presented as a large-scale projection installation, seen by global decision-makers during a four-day programme heavily focused around the state of the planet, conservation and environmental sustainability. A truly international competition, the images were selected in 2018 by an esteemed panel of judges who reviewed more than 45,000 entries from across 95 countries.

Natural History Museum Director Sir Michael Dixon says, ‘The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and exhibition is not just a celebration of photography; it is a platform for the Museum to convene a global conversation about the state of wildlife today. The cutting-edge digital display at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting will put the work of passionate nature photographers and conservationists at the heart of international conversations, debate and action for the natural world.’

The installation also provides a powerful presence for the subjects of the photographs, including vulnerable ecosystems and species facing extinction, amongst the world’s decision-makers.

The collaboration provides a remarkable opportunity for the latest Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner. 16-year-old South African Skye Meaker has wanted to be a nature photographer since receiving his first pocket camera at the age of seven.  He won the coveted grand title in October 2018 for his charming portrait of a leopard waking from sleep in Botswana.

Skye will be speaking about his passion for wildlife at a special event alongside renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall. Taking place on Tuesday 22 January at 12.30pm (GMT), the talk will be streamed live on the Forum’s website. Skye will be the youngest participant in the Forum’s programme of events, while the oldest is one of his heroes, 92-year-old Sir David Attenborough.

Skye Meaker says ‘To think that my dream of sharing my pictures with the world would not only come true by winning Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year, but allow me to be the youngest speaker at the WEF Annual Meeting, is just truly mind blowing and I am both honoured and grateful for the opportunity Wildlife Photographer of the Year has given me.’

Clare Matterson, Director of Engagement at the Natural History Museum, says, ‘Inspiring and supporting young people is of paramount importance to the Museum, and this life-changing opportunity for Skye is a testament to the global impact of Wildlife Photographer of the Year on the nature photographers, naturalists and scientists of the future.’

Images and media contact

Download photographs for print use at: https://nhm.box.com/v/WPY-Davos

Email: wildpress@nhm.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5156 Mob: +44 (0)7799 690151

Notes to editors

·         Produced by the Natural History Museum in London, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition showcases the world's best nature photography and photojournalism. The images celebrate the wonder of the natural world whilst reminding us of its fragility and our crucial role in its protection. www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com  

• Wildlife Photographer of the Year was founded in 1965 by BBC Wildlife Magazine, then called Animals. The Natural History Museum joined forces in 1984 to create the competition as it is known today. The competition is now solely run and owned by the Natural History Museum.
• Open to photographers of all ages and abilities, the competition opens for entries every October. The winners from the 2019 competition will be announced in October 2019.
• Skye Meaker is a 16-year-old South African wildlife photographer with a passion for wildlife photography and conservation. http://www.skyemeaker.com
• Skye’s talk with Jane Goodall can be streamed live on the World Economic Forum website: https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting/sessions/close-encounters-young-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year    /
• Director of Engagement at the Natural History Museum Clare Matterson has written a guest blog on the World Economic Forum website, exploring how photography can do justice for the natural world. The blog features powerful images from recent years of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/the-power-of-stillness-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-awards
• The Natural History Museum exists to inspire a love of the natural world and unlock answers to the big issues facing humanity and the planet. It is a world-leading science research centre, and through its unique collection and unrivalled expertise it is tackling issues such as food security, eradicating diseases and managing resource scarcity. The Natural History Museum is the most visited natural history museum in Europe and the top science attraction in the UK; we welcome around five million visitors each year and our website receives over 500,000 unique visitors a month. People come from around the world to enjoy our galleries and events and engage both in-person and online with our science and educational activities through innovative programmes and citizen science projects.
• The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is the only yearly gathering that brings together leaders of global society. The heads and members of more than 100 governments, top executives of the 1,000 foremost global companies, leaders of international organizations and relevant non-governmental organizations, the most prominent cultural, societal and thought leaders, and the disruptive voices of the Forum’s Young Global Leaders, Global Shapers and Technology Pioneers come together at the beginning of each year to define priorities and shape global, industry and regional agendas.