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.
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.
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