Biplab Hazra, a photographer captured an influential picture of a panicked elephant and it’s calf dodging flaming crackers and tar balls.The mother’s ears are angled forward as she and her child appear to be screaming in confusion and fear as the fire licks at the young one’s feet. A mob is seen in the background.
This powerful photograph of the elephant and her calf fleeing a mob of people in West Bengal’s Bankura district has won the prestigious Sanctuary Wildlife Photography Awards this year.
The photograph shot by Biplab Hazra not only stunned everyone but also won him the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017, which was declared on Sunday.
This year, the competition drew over 5,000 entries from across Asia, beating all previous records.
As you read this, another innocent animal is being abused, neglected or forced to fight. The first step to creating positive change for these animals is recognizing the cruelty that threatens them.Of the approximately 45,000 Asian elephants left in the world, 3,000 to 4,000 are held captive in Thailand. They have been torn from their jungle homes to be sold like equipment and made to beg in the streets, haul illegal logs, or entertain tourists.
People have been expressing their thoughts on social media. Here are a few,
Can't blame the elephants, can we?
It is humans who have encroached into their forests & migration corridors.https://t.co/YQPYKpujkd— Nilim Dutta (@NilimDutta) November 6, 2017
Biplab Hazra's heart-breaking photo of an elephant and a calf escaping a mob in West Bengal is a searing testimony of human monstrosity. pic.twitter.com/NDhL9lMH6K
— Anupam Bordoloi (@asomputra) November 6, 2017
First they encroach, then they poach…..appalled, such insensitivity, travesty and violence against a creature so magnificent!
— Coat and Gown Ninja (@mridul_chakra) November 7, 2017
Aren't you guys supposed to worship Lord Ganesh as a God? Torturing monkeys and now this! Some Gods. Monstrous people indeed.
— karachi ahab (@karachiahab) November 6, 2017
We have encroached far too much into forestland – this is where they once lived without humans around.
— Deepak Mohoni (@deepakmohoni) November 7, 2017
This picture is a grim reminder of how humans have blurred the line between animals and them! We are not sure who are the animals here in the pic.
