Polar Bear Naps on Ice and Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest

The Natural History Museum has announced the winners of its spectacular wildlife images, selected from 50,000 entries. Another 25 memorable images were selected by the judges and the Natural History Museum, from which the public had the opportunity to choose their favourites. 

A British amateur photographer beat out 24 other competitors to take a remarkable photo of a sleeping polar bear on an "ice bed" and win the 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59 People's Choice Award.

The photo received a record 75,000 votes. The image shows a male polar bear having a nap on a small iceberg near the Svalbard archipelago in Norway.

Nima's photo sends a powerful but sad message about global warming. But the photographer herself also sees hope and believes that we can still fix it.

On his Instagram, Sarihani said that he spent three days searching for polar bears in thick fog before the expedition ship he was travelling on changed course.

"It turned around and headed to a place where there was still some sea ice. Here we met a younger and older male (polar bear) and watched the pair for the next eight hours," he said.

He said he was honoured to receive the award and hoped it would shed more light on the topic of climate change.

"I am honoured to receive this year's People's Choice Award for Wildlife Photograph of the Year, the most prestigious wildlife photography competition," he said.

"This photo has evoked strong emotions in many of those who have seen it.

"While climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope this photo also inspires hope. There is still time to fix the mess we have made."

Sarihani's popularity has skyrocketed since he won the award, and his Instagram, which features his series of wildlife-related photos, has risen from just under 600 followers to more than 4,400.

As The Gaze previously wrote, Ukrainian scientists have shown stunning photos of green landscapes from the Antarctic Research Station.