A dramatic moment between a predator and prey, was captured by photographer, Yongqing Bao. And his split-second shot has won him the prestigious spot of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019. The winning picture shows a fox, hunting to keep her cubs alive, engages in a fight for the survival with a marmot. The National History Museum in London, described the startling moment as “nature’s ultimate challenge- its battle for survival.” Bao’s winning image now going viral has beaten 48,000 entries from 100 countries across the world. 'Above the Polar Bear' & Other Winning Photographs will Leave You Mesmerised. 

Hailing from the Chinese province of Qinghai, Bao captured the moment on a meadow in China’s Qilian Mountains National Nature Reserve. The expressively intense posture of the predator and prey will keep you fascinated. Chairman of judges Roz Kidman Cox called the shot to be a “perfect moment,” adding that the “thread of energy between the raised paws seems to hold the protagonists in perfect balance.” The judges further called it a “powerful moment of humour and horror.” Sharing the winning picture on Twitter, the National History Museum called it an “unforgettable and unique moment between a Tibetan fox and a marmot.” Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018 Winner: Marsel van Oosten Wins The Title For Picture of Two Gazing Golden Monkeys With Blue Faces. 

View the Winning Picture:

Every year, the international competition is run by the Museum. The winning images in various categories go on a display at the Museum, before touring the UK and internationally. Media reports further confirmed that the full collection of the most captivated photographs from different categories would be shown at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition which will run from October 18 to May 31, 2020, at the Natural History Museum.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2019 10:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).