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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><a name="OLE_LINK5"></a><a name="OLE_LINK12"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">November 2, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Royal BC Museum to host<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Victoria, BC–</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">
<i>Wildlife Photographer of the Year</i> will be back by popular demand at the Royal BC Museum on December 8, 2017, after a one-year hiatus. This photography exhibition is put together by the Natural History Museum in London who runs the annual competition,
now in its 53rd year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">The 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year is Brent Stirton, a photojournalist from South
Africa. Stirton won for his arresting image <i>Memorial to a species,</i> featuring a recently shot and de-horned black rhino in South Africa’s
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. The image illustrates the devastation of poaching; it graphically depicts an animal that clearly suffered at the
hands of humans. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Stirton</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""> took
this photograph to highlight the impact of the illegal trade of rhino products. </span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">The winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is selected by a jury who
look at all the category winners and choose the most memorable and striking image as the grand title winner.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Stirton</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">’s image was selected from
almost 50,000 entries from 92 countries. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">“<i>Wildlife Photographer of the Year</i> is an exceptional collection of the very best
photographs of the natural world,” says Royal BC Museum CEO Prof. Jack Lohman. “By bringing this world-renowned exhibition to Western Canada, we hope to increase awareness of the need to understand and protect our natural areas for the people, plants and animals
that depend on them.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">The Royal BC Museum is the only venue in western Canada hosting this exhibition. Visitors
can view 100 extraordinary images from December 8, 2017 to April 2, 2018. </span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">The images range from intimate animal portraits to astonishing wild landscapes, organized by subject categories and age ranges. There is something for
everyone in this family-friendly exhibition. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">Canada is represented by twelve-year-old Josiah Launstein,
from Pincher Creek, Alberta, whose photograph <i>The hairy raincoat</i> is a finalist in the 11 to 14 year-old category.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition receives thousands of entries from professionals,
gifted amateurs and young photographers. 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="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;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="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">The Royal BC Museum is hosting
</span><a href="https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/events/calendar/event/105527/wildlife-photographer-john-e-marriott-tall-tales-long-lenses"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">a lecture by Wildlife Photographer
John E. Marriott</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""> on Thursday, November 30 at 7pm. John’s talk,
<i>Tall Tales, Long Lenses</i>, is inspired by unforgettable images he has captured of animals. Tickets are $15 (10 per cent discount for members).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Images available upon request.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">About the Royal BC Museum<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="xbodytext" style="margin-top:.1pt;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="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. We are a hub of community connections in BC–onsite,
offsite and online–taking pride in our collective histories. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xbodytext" style="margin-top:.1pt;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">- 30 -<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><a name="OLE_LINK1"></a><a name="OLE_LINK2"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Media contact:</span></b></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">Royal BC Museum Media Inquiries
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">778-679-1379<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><a href="mailto:news@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">news@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">
</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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</span><img border="0" width="18" height="18" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image008.jpg@01D353CF.5D85ECB0"><span style="font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif""> </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/royalbcmuseum/"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">royalbcmuseum</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif"">
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#RBCMWPY</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif";color:blue"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55","sans-serif";color:blue"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></p>
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