Terrifying drone image of Australian bushfire takes top prize in wildlife photo contest
A grim drone image of a line of fire ripping through the bush in northern Australia has claimed the top prize in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award.
"Bushfire," which was taken by Robert Irwin (son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin) near the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland, received over 55,000 votes from people around the world to beat out the other 24 entries shortlisted.
Fires like the one pictured remain a huge threat to the far north peninsula — which is home to various endangered species and 30 different ecosystems. However, the image also serves as a undeniable reminder of the unprecedented fires that devastated large parts of Australia in the summer of 2019/2020, with hundreds killed, thousands of homes destroyed, and more than 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) burned. Read more...
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