B.C.'s wildlife is vast, beautiful and worthy of many photo-ops.
For a 13th year, the SPCA is calling for submissions to its annual Wildlife-In-Focus contest, which also acts as a fundraiser for its Victoria-based facility that specializes in animal rehabilitation.
In 2020, nearly $33,000 was raised through the donate-to-vote event.
The money goes towards food, medical care and other much-needed supplies to aid more than 2,800 injured and orphaned creatures each year at the BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC).
"Wildlife-In-Focus is a celebration of the incredible diversity of wild animals that live in B.C.," says BC SPCA spokesperson Erin Ryan.
"Every year we receive amazing entries featuring diverse songbirds, red foxes playing in the forest and bears catching salmon on the river with mountains in the background."
WHICH ANIMALS CAN I SNAPSHOT?
The BC SPCA says the contest will only accept pictures of wildlife taken within the province, including:
- Free-living birds
- Mammals
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
- Fish
- Insects
The SPCA says it will not accept submissions of exotic, feral or domestic animals, or wildlife in zoos or rehabilitation facilities.
The two categories this year are "wild settings" and "backyard habitats;" the top three photos for each will be determined by judges, as well as a donate-by-vote People's Choice Award.
A photo book is also set to be created for the 2021 edition, which will include the winners and the top 25 most popular by voters.
For more information about Wildlife-In-Focus and Wild ARC, you can visit the BC SPCA's website.
The deadline to submit photos is July 26 at midnight and the contest is open to amateur photographers aged 14 and older.
