honorable mention
Simone Marchiolli new zealandPhoto © Simone Marchiolli
title
A Hungry Penguin
Over the past 18 months I have been lucky enough to travel the world with my partner and we have discovered so many beautiful things and learned so much about different cultures. We have also realized how many animals are in danger and how much this is actually caused by human beings.
Penguins are one of the species in serious danger. The Penguins in the photographs are the Yellow Eyed Penguin, considered the rarest species of penguins in the world, and the Fiordland Crested Penguin, the third rarest species in the world.
The population of these two species is decreasing at an alarming rate, particularly for the Yellow Eyed Penguin which has seen a decrease of 80% in the last years. Scientists do not really know if there is also a natural reason for this decrease in numbers, but what they know for sure is that humans are “helping”.
There are two of the main reasons to their title of ‘critically endangered’, one more obvious and one less. The first cause is intensive fishing in their oceans which is leading to the depletion of fish and starvation. The mass nets used are also causing many penguins to become trapped and drown.
The second less obvious reason is deforestation. Yellow Eyed Penguins nest as isolated pairs
and they do not like the company of other penguins, which is why they hide in the bush. With this and the influx of tourists, the penguins have been forced to abandon their habitats and it is increasingly difficult for them to breed.
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entry description
Penguins are cute. Penguins are funny. Penguins are now critically endangered.Over the past 18 months I have been lucky enough to travel the world with my partner and we have discovered so many beautiful things and learned so much about different cultures. We have also realized how many animals are in danger and how much this is actually caused by human beings.
Penguins are one of the species in serious danger. The Penguins in the photographs are the Yellow Eyed Penguin, considered the rarest species of penguins in the world, and the Fiordland Crested Penguin, the third rarest species in the world.
The population of these two species is decreasing at an alarming rate, particularly for the Yellow Eyed Penguin which has seen a decrease of 80% in the last years. Scientists do not really know if there is also a natural reason for this decrease in numbers, but what they know for sure is that humans are “helping”.
There are two of the main reasons to their title of ‘critically endangered’, one more obvious and one less. The first cause is intensive fishing in their oceans which is leading to the depletion of fish and starvation. The mass nets used are also causing many penguins to become trapped and drown.
The second less obvious reason is deforestation. Yellow Eyed Penguins nest as isolated pairs
and they do not like the company of other penguins, which is why they hide in the bush. With this and the influx of tourists, the penguins have been forced to abandon their habitats and it is increasingly difficult for them to breed.
about the photographer
Photography has always been the best way in which I can convey my thoughts and ideas. To me, pictures capture the essence of the moment. When people say, “tell me about your trip”, I find it impossible to weave together a story which encapsulates months of travelling around 5 continents in such a way that combines athmosphere, emotions and tells a decent tale. Words are just not my thing.back to gallery