Reading:A penguin optical illusion, a shark bathed in sunlight and a playful rhino – the secret lives of animals in UK zoos revealed in stunning detail
Runner up in Bird category - Royal Fluff - As a fledgeling, this king vulture was only spending brief moments outdoors at Colchester Zoo, during which Josh Dennington photographed it through the gap in the trees. Deriving from South America, king vultures grow to have distinct and colourful faces. (Jam Press/Josh Dennington)
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Out of the depths of one of Britain’s largest aquarium habitats stalks the powerful grey reef shark, while water voles and adders slither in the British countryside.
These are some of the stories illuminated by the winners of a zoo and aquarium photo competition.
The talented photographers offer an exclusive look into the fascinating lives of animals.
Run by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the twelve winners and runners up feature photographs from across modern conservation zoos and aquariums – from Edinburgh to Brighton, from an inquisitive sloth, a fatherly frog to a mischievous rhino.
Winner in the Bird category – Which way up? – Humboldt Penguin – This optical illusion effect was captured during some unique winter lighting at Blair Drummond Safari Park, Scotland, with the ripples producing a surprisingly clear penguin reflection. (Jam Press/Bernard Catterall)
Over five-hundred entries were received in the competition across five categories, including a new native species category.
This category highlights the incredible nature on our doorstep, being supported by zoos and aquariums.
Over recent years BIAZA zoos and aquariums have been restoring native species as diverse as harvest mice, beavers, wildcats, toads and even leeches, as part of efforts to make Britain and Ireland wilder places.
Winner in the fish category – Out of the Blue – Grey Reef Shark – The Deep aquarium in Hulls Endless Ocean exhibit contains 2.5 million litres of water and 87 tonnes of salt, housing species like turtles, rays, sawfish and of course, sharks. (Jam Press/Jamie Smart)
Dr Jo Judge, the CEO of BIAZA said: “After a rigorous selection process, we are proud to showcase photography which demonstrates not only the wonder of wildlife, but the vital work of our member zoos and aquariums in welfare and conservation.”
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Dr Judge added “We’re grateful to everyone who entered the competition and those who voted in our new native species category. We believe these talented wildlife photographers have the power to inspire environmental change.”
Specially commended – Royal Bow – Gelada Monkey – Yorkshire Wildlife Park – Gelada monkeys have varied appearances based on age and gender. Dominant males like this one develop features like a furry cape down their backs and an hourglass-shaped patch of red skin on their torso. (Jam Press/Jamie Smart)
Over 120 BIAZA member zoos and aquariums contribute to the restoration of nature by undertaking 1236 conservation projects, 1280 research projects and 1.1 million educational visits in the last year alone. They have collectively spent over 150 million pounds on conservation since 2020.
The twelve winning photos will be featured on BIAZA’s 2026 calendar, which will also contain dates for nature-lovers; from Penguin Awareness Day to David Attenborough’s birthday. Follow BIAZA on Facebook or Instagram to be the first to know when it will be available.
Highly Commended in the native species category, which permitted non-animal entries, this mystical image of the Amethyst Deceiver fungus was taken in West Calder, in West Lothian, Scotland. – Amethyst Deceiver. (Jam Press/Peter Baird)Specially commended – Saxon – Golden Eagle – The Hawk Conservancy Trust features awe-inspiring flying displays of raptor species such as golden eagles. The Trust is also dedicated to conserving both local and global birds of prey. (Jam Press/Finlay Graves)Runner up in the Native Special category – Basking in the Bracken – Adder – Adders are a rare find in the British Isles. Amelia found this one in the spring sun, prior to what would be a vital breeding season in Wales Eryri National Park. Despite being Britains only venomous snake, they pose little threat to humans. (Jam Press/Amelia Harvey)Runner up in the Mammals category – Just Hanging Around – Linné’s Two-Toed Sloth – Sloth like Nico from Edinburgh Zoo can on occasion be surprisingly active. Nico represents the largest of the six sloth species, the Linnés two-toed sloth, which can reach 11kg. (Jam Press/Alistair Cryer)Specially Commended – Pine Marten Kits – Pine Martens – Highly Commended in the native species category, Jack Murden spent an afternoon sat in a hide, during which elusive pine martens made an appearance. These kits hopped up onto a mossy log as something caught their eye just out of frame. (Jam Press/Jack Murden)Winner in the Mammal category – “Playing with the Birds” – Black Rhinoceros – Photographer Zoe Brown managed to capture the brief moment in which Chester Zoo’s young black rhino, Lumi, playfully charged at a group of starlings. (Jam Press/Zoe Brown)Winner in the Invertebrates Category – Emerald of the forest floors – Flamboyant Flower Beetle – A flamboyant flower beetle displaying his Y shaped horn used to spar with other males. This vibrant green beetle lives in the Tiny Giants building at London Zoo, which features some of the worlds most captivating invertebrates and the UKs only exotic spider walkthrough. (Jam Press/Amber Rainsford)Specially commended – Play-time with the Raccoons – Racoons – The eight racoons in Northumberland Zoo have developed close bonds with one another. Here, Tommy and Ralph are having one of their daily wrestling matches. Racoons have become an invasive species in the UK due to deliberate introductions. (Jam Press/Maxine Bradley)Winner in Native Species category – Water Vole – RSPB Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire – Populations of water voles in the UK have been in decline. Rebekah Weatherhead has therefore spent hours watching and learning about Water Voles in the chalk streams near Cambridge to raise awareness for her favourite British mammal. (Jam Press/Rebekah Weatherhead)
