Wolf Picie

Experts Cry Wolf Over 'Faked' Wildlife Pic

An award winning wildlife photo which scooped the year's most prestigious award and a cheque for £10,000 is being reviewed by judges after claims it was faked.

Spanish artist Jose Luis Rodriguez's image, called Storybook Wolf, is said to have broken rules by using a tame wolf rather than a wild one.

 

The rules of the competition, which attracted more than 43,000 entries, state that images of captive animals must be declared and that judges will give preference to images taken in "free and wild conditions".

Judges of the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer Of The Year competition are investigating claims the wolf pictured is actually one from a zoo near Madrid.

The Natural History Museum, which runs the competition with BBC Wildlife Magazine, said: "We are investigating this thoroughly with the Judging Panel and will report back in the New Year once our investigations are completed."

Mr Rodriguez strongly denies any wrongdoing or breach of the competition rules.

Suspicions were raised when wolf experts said that a wild animal would probably squeeze through the bars of the gate rather than jump over it.

Mr Rodriguez had told judges it took a long time to find the location let alone a wolf that would jump over the gate.

If found to have manufactured the photo Mr Rodriguez would be stripped of the prize.

…………Why can’t people grow up????? Talk about a childish playground attitude!!!!