Internationally acclaimed wildlife photojournalist Aaron Gekoski has been named as the fifth judge on the panel for the 2021 British Veterinary Association Veterinary Photographer of the Year Award.

An environmental photojournalist, Mr Gekoski has won various well-known wildlife photography awards and is regularly featured in the press, most recently for his book Animosity: Human - Animal Conflict in the 21st Century.

Aaron will join BVA President James Russell, Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) Senior Vice President Izzie Arthur and two other judges nominated by the competition sponsor iM3 Veterinary Dentistry.
 
The BVA photography competition has already had over 200 entries for this year's award since it launched in January.
 
Split into three categories, entrants are asked to focus on images that capture the human-animal bond in day-to-day veterinary work, as well as photos of pets or wildlife taken outside of the working environment.

Submissions for each category can be taken on a phone or a high-spec camera, and should take into account responsible animal interaction and positive animal health and welfare.

The three categories are:

• Life in Lockdown
  Images that reflect the extraordinary circumstances we were all thrust into during the Covid-19 pandemic
• All creatures great and small
  An opportunity to look at the vast diversity of the animal kingdom: domestic, agricultural, and all aspects of wildlife
• Happy pets that make us smile
  Reflecting the joy of a happy, contented animal

Aaron said: “It's a huge honour to be a judge for the BVA Veterinary Photographer of the Year Award, the most prestigious photographic competition for the veterinary profession. The competition helps shine a light on the invaluable and relentless work carried out by vets around the world; work that may otherwise go unnoticed. I look forward to bringing my experience as an environmental photojournalist to the judging process."

The BVA Veterinary Photographer of the Year Award 2021 closes at 11.59 GMT on 8th March 2021. Winners will be announced in April. They will receive a £250 John Lewis voucher and their pictures exhibited by BVA.

Find out more and submit your entries at www.bva.co.uk/photo-comp

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.