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Theo Allofs's Image
Theo Allofs (Germany) follows a polar bear as it hunts for prey among the ice floes.
Theo had sailed for days through loose pack ice before spotting the lone polar bear. Approaching the sleeping bearded seal, the bear dived down before rocketing out of the water, propelling its body onto the ice floe. It missed its target and the seal escaped into the water.
Bearded seals, which average more than two metres in length, are a favourite prey of polar bears. Both animals depend on the sea ice, which is rapidly diminishing as a result of rising temperatures.
Behind the lens
Theo Allofs
Germany
Theo has been a full-time professional nature photographer since 1995. In 2012, with his wife Jami Tarris, he established Wild Focus Expeditions - a nature photography-oriented expedition company for small groups with destinations around the world, including Svalbard, Antarctica, Africa, India, Pantanal and many more.
Image details
- Canon EOS 5DS
- 100–400mm f4.5–5.6 lens at 142mm
- 1/320 sec at f14 • ISO 320
- North-western Svalbard, Norway
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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