World-Renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Exhibition Opens at the ROM

Features 100 awe-inspiring images of wildlife and our natural world

(Toronto, Ontario – November 19, 2014) – Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) exhibition opens Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The exhibition, on tour from the Natural History Museum in London, makes its Canadian debut at the ROM where it will be on display until March 22, 2015. WPY is the most prestigious wildlife photography contest of its kind and showcases the natural world’s most astonishing images. Now in its 50^th year, the competition draws entries from around the globe from both amateur and professional photographers. Winning entries are featured in the exhibition and selected by an international panel of judges based on creativity, artistry and technical complexity. This year’s winning Canadian entries, from photographers Nick Hawkins and Jess Findlay, feature images from the Earth’s Diversity, Birds category.

Exhibition Details

WPY is on display in Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall, where the photographs are installed with custom light boxes creating a dramatic view of the natural world.  The exhibition includes family friendly features such as hands-on activities, interactive games, fun wildlife and nature facts and more.    

"WPY is a tremendous opportunity for visitors of all ages to experience the beauty and power of nature and wildlife. We hope the exhibition, and interactive learning experiences inspire WPY visitors to learn more about our natural world and conservation,” said Janet Carding, ROM Director and CEO.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year was founded in 1965 and is co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide.

“Canadian Geographic is proud to partner with the ROM to showcase the world’s best wildlife photography. Our photography experts are always impressed by the quality of the photos selected each year and look forward to seeing how WPY visitors use Crowdriff’s photo wall to share their own photos,” Gilles Gagnier, Publisher, Canadian Geographic.

Ticket Information

Tickets to WPY are available for $7.00 + the price of ROM General Admission. Student and Senior tickets are $5.00, and tickets for children aged four to 14 years are $3.00 (children under 3 years of age are free). 

ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year Programming

The Nature Reserve, an interactive and participatory space, is the ROM’s addition to the exhibit. The space gives visitors opportunities to interact with curators, and features wildlife photos converted to 3D objects and simulated nature photo walls for social media fun.

November 21, 2014       ROM Friday Night Live, Get Wild

7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

FREE admission to WPY for #FNLROM partygoers for one night only. 

November 22 & 23        ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year Weekend

11:00 am – 3:00 pm, free with Museum admission

Explore WPY, and snap great shots of your own as you meet incredible live insects, magnificent mammals, and rockin’ reptiles!

November 23, 2014       ROM Photographer of the Year

                                            Earth Rangers Studio, Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity, Level 2.

                                             ROM curators, staff, students and volunteers share images captured from travels around the world. Images are also available on the ROM’s Facebook page.