Picture Of Gorilla Hugging The Man Who Saved Her Life Wins Wildlife Photo Of The Year

February 14, 2018

A hug between a gorilla and the man who saved her life has been crowned the winner of Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award.

wildlife phorographer of year awards
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Natural History Museum

Canadian photographer Jo-Anne McArthur took the photo in Cameroon, as the rescued 6-year-old gorilla, Pikin, was being moved between animal sanctuaries.

Pikin was orphaned as a baby after poachers killed her mother. She was rescued by the charity group Ape Action Africa.

Jo-Anne captured the moment she her caretaker, Appolinaire Ndohoudou, traveled together – which became the winning photo chosen by the public. More than 50,000 photographs were submitted to the annual contest, which is hosted by the Natural History Museum in London.

The photo was chosen from a shortlist of 24, selected by staff at the Museum.

The People's Choice Finalists

wildlife phorographer of year awards
Luciano Candisani / Natural History Museum

wildlife phorographer of year awards
Ray Chin / Natural History Museum

wildlife phorographer of year awards
Debra Garside / Natural History Museum