Sri Lanka Wildlife photographer Lakshitha Karunarathna’s photograph ‘Toxic Tip’ is among 100 award-winning photographs selected for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, now in its 61st year at the Natural History Museum in London.
Lakshitha Karunarathna’s photograph depicting a solitary elephant navigating its way through a waste disposal site in Sri Lanka has been selected from a staggering and record-breaking 60,636 submissions made for the award.
Lakshitha has been recording the conflict that arises between people and the roughly 7,500 elephants on the island. Unfortunately, this regularly includes those that forage for food among Sri Lanka’s open rubbish dumps.
“Here is an image chosen as one of just 100 award-winning photographs, selected from a staggering and record-breaking 60,636 submissions to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year now in its 61st year at the Natural History Museum, London — and I am deeply humbled that my photograph “Toxic Tip” is one of them,” the Sri Lankan Wildlife photographer said commenting on the recognition.
“With immense honour and pride, I share this work, placed among only 0.16% of all submissions chosen for this year’s awards, shining a light on the devastating consequences of erratic waste disposal and its catastrophic toll on Sri Lanka’s Elephants.
“Often called the Oscars of Wildlife Photography, #WPY has once again reminded the world that photography is not only art, but also a voice for the voiceless. I am truly grateful that Toxic Tip was selected for the official media release — already carried out today across countless print, broadcast, and digital media outlets reaching every corner of the world — giving this story a stage far beyond borders.
“Let us move towards a world where waste is managed responsibly, where sustainability is not a choice but a way of life. By protecting our Elephants, we safeguard not only a species, but also the spirit of nature that belongs to us all,” he added, in a statement on social media. (Newswire)