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<p> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-size:23.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1E9B00">MEDIA ADVISORY</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">December 4, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong> </strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">World’s best wildlife images of 2015<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">on display at the Royal BC Museum</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Victoria, BC –</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""> British Columbia photographer
Connor Stefanison returns to the Royal BC Museum as a winner, as <i>Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015</i> opens for its only Western Canadian viewing on Friday, Dec. 4.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong> </strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Presented by the Natural History Museum, London, and now in its 51<sup>st</sup> year,
<i>Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015</i> features 100 stunning winning images in huge, backlit displays, selected from a field of 42,000 international entries in 20 categories.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Stefanison’s Rising Star Portfolio Award-winning six-image entry includes
<i>Raven strut</i>, a pensive portrait of a raven walking through the snow, and <i>
Night of the mountain goats</i>, a dramatic star-filled image taken by Stefanison after camping on a rocky mountain ledge for three days and nights. Stefanison, a graduate of Simon Fraser University, won the award for the first time in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Dr. Don Gutoski, an emergency room physician from London, ON, was named the overall winner of
<i>Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015</i> for his <i>Tale of two foxes,</i> a beautiful and haunting portrait of the struggle for life in the subarctic climes of Wapusk National Park in Cape Churchill, MB.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Ten year old Albertan Josiah Launstein is a finalist in the 10 Years and under category for two photographs:
<i>Goose attack</i>, taken at Burnaby Lake in BC, and <i>Snowy scene</i>, a photo of a snowy owl taken in Calgary, AB. Launstein has been a photographer since the age of seven. This is his first time as a Finalist for
<i>Wildlife Photographer of the Year</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">“We are thrilled that this year, once again, Connor Stefanison has been recognized by
<i>Wildlife</i> <i>Photographer of the Year</i>,” said Prof. Jack Lohman, Royal BC Museum CEO. “Connor’s work, as well as the remarkable photographs by fellow Canadians Don Gutoski and Josiah Launstein, offer a close-up view our natural world, and compliment
perfectly the collection and research we do here at the Royal BC Museum.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Members of the public are also invited to take part in voting for the 2015 People’s Choice Award. The
<i>Wildlife Photographer of the Year</i> jury has chosen 25 of the best images from the 2015 competition shortlist as nominees in this category. Those interested are invited to view the nominees and vote for their favourite at
</span><a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/wpy/community/peoples-choice/2015/index.html"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/wpy/community/peoples-choice/2015/index.html</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Voting closes on Jan. 5, 2016. The winning image will be revealed on Jan. 11, 2016. Participants are invited to share their selection
with @NHM_WPY on Twitter using the hashtag #MyWPY to be eligible to win a copy of </span><a href="http://www.nhmshop.co.uk/books/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-exhibition-books/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-portfolio-25.html"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Portfolio
25</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">, published by the Natural History Museum, London.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Wildlife Photographer of the Year</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""> receives entries
from professionals, gifted amateurs and young photographers alike. The international judging panel includes some of the world’s most respected nature photographers and wildlife experts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Each photograph on display is described by the photographer, alongside technical details including camera, lens, aperture
and exposure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Activities and learning programs at the Royal BC Museum during the run of the exhibition include a
<i>Camera Club Community Meet Up</i> on Dec. 6, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, <i>Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015</i>
<i>Gallery Tours </i>with Connor Stefanison on March 18 at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, </span>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">and</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">
</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Spring Break Camps: Focus on Nature</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">, photography-inspired
day camps for kids ages 7 - 11, to be held March 14 - 18 and March 21 - 25.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Wildlife Photographer of the Year</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">
<i><span lang="EN-US">2015</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> closes April 4, 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">About the Royal BC Museum</span></strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">The Royal BC Museum explores the province's human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place
for reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Looking to the future, the Royal BC Museum will be a refreshed, modern museum, extending its reach far beyond Victoria
as a world-class cultural venue and repository of digital treasures. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">- 30 -<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">For photographs and interviews use the contact information below.</span><strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif";font-weight:normal"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Media contact:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Royal BC Museum Media Inquiries
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">250-387-3207<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><a href="mailto:news@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca">news@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca</a></span><u><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">
</span></u><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalBCMuseum">@RoyalBCMuseum</a><span style="color:black"> #WPY51</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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