Скачать или смотреть 🏆 * European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024 * | Jaime Rojo – Forest of the monarchs

Overall Winner European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024

Huddled together, overwintering monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) hang in the trees of Mexico's El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Both the monarch butterfly and local tree species, in particular the oyamel fir, Abies religiosa, are adapted to the cool and humid conditions of this mountainous region. The butterflies are well protected from the elements not only by the forest canopy but also by their clustering behaviour which involves extremely large congregations of individuals. Unfortunately, even small decreases in canopy cover can change the microclimate and impact the butterflies negatively. Despite conservation measures leading to the establishment of this protected area, local deforestation continued in the early 2000s. In response, an international coalition of non-profit conservation organisations and governments under the leadership of Mexico set up a trust fund to work with local communities to reduce the rate of deforestation. Deforestation has been steadily declining since 2009.

Nikon Z9, 100-400mm, ISO 800

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Jaime Rojo is a Spanish photographer who combines a passion for wild nature with a wealth of experiences in environmental issues and excellent storytelling skills to create visual stories centred on wilderness and wildlife. As a staunch advocate of nature conservation, he hopes that his images can ultimately become a tool for environmental protection. Jaime studied environmental sciences in Madrid and began his professional career in Mexico in 2004 working for a conservation organisation that promotes the creation of new protected areas, biological corridors and rewilding initiatives. After more than 15 years abroad during which he directed numerous environmental communication campaigns, Jaime returned to Spain in 2020 where he continues his outreach work to this day. His most recent projects include Saving the Monarchs, a photographic story on the cover of the January 2024 issue of National Geographic about the monarch butterfly’s migration and Andorra al natural, a project to raise awareness for the fascinating biodiversity of this small country in the Pyrenees.

Jaime is a photographer, creative director and communications consultant who works with environmental organisations, educational institutions, government agencies and businesses worldwide, and has recently delivered a talk featured on TED.com. Jaime is a National Geographic Explorer, Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and trustee to The WILD Foundation. His work has won awards in prestigious competitions including World Press Photo, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and Pictures of the Year International.

http://www.rojovisuals.com

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See all winning images here:
https://www.gdtfoto.de/ewpy2024