With just one month left for photographers from all walks of like to officially enter the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Awards, judges are expanding their search for youth and amateur photo entries from across the African continent. Launched through a partnership between African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and Nature’s Best Photography, the Benjamin Mkapa Awards' official deadline for entries is June 18, 2021.

Among the 12 Awards categories, judges will select two 'Youth' category winners this year, one from Africa, and one from outside Africa. Youth photographers can enter the Mkapa Awards free of charge and may submit photos and videos in any category. Entries for the 'African Wildlife at Risk' category will examine animals listed as Threatened, Endangered, or Critically Endangered Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Entries for the 'Coexistence and Conflict: Wildlife in Modern Africa' category will award images that depict how Africa's wildlife can coexist and benefit local communities (through ecotourism, employment, development linked to wildlife economies); and conversely how issues like poaching, the bushmeat trade, wildlife trafficking, unplanned development, extraction, and human/wildlife conflict threaten not only the future of wildlife and perhaps the continent's most unique economic asset.

AWF and Nature’s Best judges are encouraging additional entries across all of the Awards categories, including Coexistence and Conflict, Backyard Wildlife, and Conservation Heroes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Photographers and photojournalists interested in learning more should visit the Nature’s Best and AWF Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards call for entries web page at: https://www.naturesbestphotography.com/africa.php . In addition, a new video message from AWF CEO Kaddu Sebunya examines how this initiative honors the former Tanzanian President and AWF’s longest serving Trustee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agt4hFuCIDg.

FOR AWARDS ENTRIES AND PHOTO SUBMISSION: Photographers seeking to join the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards official entries should fill out the Awards submission forms and submit their photos for consideration by visiting:
https://www.naturesbestphotography.com/upload/contest_pdf/2021_MkapaAwards_Guidelines.pdf
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AWARDS CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY

All nature photographers at Pro, Amateur, and Youth (age 18 and under) levels of expertise from around the globe are invited to enter photos and videos made on the continent of Africa, including Madagascar, and offshore island groups.

About Nature's Best Photography

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Nature’s Best Photography (NBP) was founded to inspire, educate, and motivate a better understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the natural world through the art of photography, storytelling, and personal wellness initiatives. This dynamic public engagement platform has produced award-winning publications, large-format print exhibitions, multimedia televised presentations, and prestigious museum events hosted around the globe. Learn more at naturesbestphotography.com /africa

About African Wildlife Foundation

The African Wildlife Foundation (http://www.awf.org is the primary advocate for the protection of wildlife and wild lands as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961 to focus on Africa’s conservation needs, we articulate a uniquely African vision, bridge science and public policy, and demonstrate the benefits of conservation to ensure the survival of the continent’s wildlife and wild lands.