Bengaluru wildlife photographer earns global recognition

Arvind Ramamurthy's image, titled “Wolf Pack”, of five members of an Indian wolf pack in an agricultural field in Maharashtra’s Bhigwan, which is the only entry representing India, is now in contention for the People’s Choice Award, with public voting open until January 29, 2025.

Bengaluru: Bengaluru-based wildlife photographer Arvind Ramamurthy has earned global recognition with his photograph being shortlisted for the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award in London.

His image, titled “Wolf Pack”, of five members of an Indian wolf pack in an agricultural field in Maharashtra’s Bhigwan, which is the only entry representing India, is now in contention for the People’s Choice Award, with public voting open until January 29, 2025.  

Organised by the Natural History Museum in London, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest receives nearly 60,000 entries annually, with only 100 selected for the final exhibition in London. A software engineer by profession, Ramamurthy has participated in the competition since 2016, and this is his first nomination.  

Arvind Ramamurthy.

Through his work, Ramamurthy seeks to spotlight lesser-known species and underrepresented ecological concerns. Through his nominated photograph, he emphasises the plight of the Indian wolf, an endangered species often overlooked in India, where conservation discussions predominantly centre around tigers and elephants.  

“Wolves used to thrive in open grasslands, but these habitats have largely been converted to agricultural fields,” Ramamurthy told DH.

“As a result, wolves now roam farms, leading to conflicts with humans. Farmers often chase them away. They even crossbreed with stray dogs, which disrupts their natural populations.”  

Ramamurthy’s captured wolf pack was spotted near Bhigwan in 2022. Tragically, the pack disappeared a few months later after being driven away by farmers. He attributes their displacement to the degradation of grasslands, the spread of invasive weeds, and the increasing presence of stray dogs on farms.  

For the past 12 years, Ramamurthy has documented a wide array of wildlife across India, from hornbills and ants to frogs and snakes. An R&D engineer by profession, his passion lies in showcasing creatures from unprotected areas, such as agricultural fields and lesser-known habitats.

Voting for the People’s Choice Award continues online, with winners to be announced in February 2025.