**Stunning Photographs Unveiled as Wildlife Photographer of the Year Arrives in Philadelphia**

Exhibition opens September 5

PHILADELPHIA, August 12, 2020

Wildlife Photographer of the Year, an exhibition of exceptional images that capture fascinating animal behavior and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world, opens Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

Developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, the exhibit features the 100 awarded images from the 2019 entries. Launched in 1965, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the longest running nature photography competition in the world, and in its most recent competition it received 48,000 submissions from 100 countries.

The Academy of Natural Sciences is the first institution on the East Coast to display this exhibition.

Visitors will see a wide array of startling, beautiful and revealing moments in nature that people rarely witness. There’s a marmot seemingly gesturing with both horror and humor at a hungry fox; a penguin fleeing the menacing jaws of a leopard seal; an elegant guanaco caught off balance when a puma strikes; and many more amazing scenes.

“We hope these images will inspire deep curiosity and awe in our visitors,” said Academy President and CEO Scott Cooper. “The scenes captured by these talented photographers tell thought-provoking stories about our planet and prompt us to think differently about the natural world and our responsibility to protect it.”

Tim Littlewood, director of science at the Natural History Museum, London, and a member of the competition’s judging panel, said, “For more than 50 years this competition has attracted the world's very best photographers, naturalists and young photographers, but there has never been a more important time for audiences all over the world to experience their work in our inspiring and impactful exhibition. Photography has a unique ability to spark conversation, debate and even action.”

Wildlife Photographer of the Year will be on view at the Academy from Saturday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Feb. 15, 2021.

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Grand title winner, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019

Media is invited to preview the exhibit by appointment before it opens to the public and to interview a museum official either in person, by phone or digitally. Preview hours are 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Aug. 31, Sept. 1, Sept, 2 and Sept. 3. To schedule an appointment, contact Public Relations.

To download images, visit the Press Room.