Environmental Photography Award 2024 winner exposes the dark side of wildlife tourism

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Environmental Photography Award has revealed the winners of its 2024 contest. The first prize was awarded to Aaron Gekoski‘s photo See No Evil, which shows an orangutan performing at Bangkok’s Safari World. The heartbreaking photo exposes the cruel realities of wildlife tourism, sparking a conversation about this important topic that doesn’t seem to get enough attention.

This year’s award received over 11,000 entries, showcasing the power of environmental photography in raising awareness. Aaron Gekoski, a photojournalist specializing in human-animal conflicts, captured the winning image of an orangutan as it awaited photo opportunities with tourists. His accompanying statement reveals a disturbing truth: these orangutans are likely stolen from the wild, trained through violence, and forced to perform for years.

“Safari World in Bangkok, orangutans have been used in shows for decades. Every day, they are forced to perform in front of an audience that pays to see them. After the shows, they stoically wait for tourists to take photos with them. Beneath the glittering exterior lies a dark world of illegal activity and animal abuse. The orangutans used in the shows are often stolen from the wild, smuggled across borders and then trained using cruel methods. If humans were treated in this way, we would be talking about torture.

For nearly five years, I have been working on a documentary called Eyes of the Orangutan, the first investigative film devoted to the world of wildlife tourism involving orangutans. The aim is to make people think twice before visiting places like Safari World. Because if we can treat one of our closest living relatives in this way, what hope is there for other species?”

Aaron not only won the grand prize but also claimed victories in the Humanity versus Nature and Change Makers: Reasons for Hope categories. Alex Mustard, award jury chairman, praised the image’s emotional impact, stating it “will live long in the minds of all who see it.

Gekoski emphasizes the award’s role in highlighting “our broken relationship with nature.” He believes such powerful imagery can inspire change, ultimately ending exploitative practices like orangutan shows.

Public encouraged to take action

The Foundation hopes the award becomes a “benchmark event” for conservation photographers. The winning images, along with ten runners-up, will be showcased in a traveling exhibition, spreading environmental messages through art.

The award serves as a call to action, urging the public to become more conscious of their role in protecting the environment. Organizers believe art and storytelling can effectively inspire a “green shift” towards a more sustainable future.

The 2025 Environmental Photography Award competition opens on September 3, 2024. And now, I’ll let you explore the breathtaking category winners and runner-ups of the 2024 contest and think about how you can contribute to protecting the nature we’re also a part of. You can learn more on the contest website.

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