Knowing that I was going to visit the open gallery Wild Planet at the Natural History Museum I wanted to look into Wildlife Photographer of the Year a bit more as I'm not all to familiar with it. Through browsing I found an interesting article about 2010 winner José Luis Rodriguez. His stunning image 'Storybook Wolf' caused a lot of controversy as many photographers recognised the wolf and the location of the photograph, Canada Real wildlife park in Madrid. They believed that the wolf was a tame wolf called Ossian and had been hired to create this photograph. This contradicted José Luis Rodriguez claim that his image was taken in the wild after months of tracking the species. It is clearly stated in the rules of Wildlife Photographer of the year that no models or tame animals are to be used.
After studying the photograph wolf experts questioned why the wolf would have jumped over the fence as a wild animal would be more likely to squeeze between the bars. The judges contacted José Luis Rodriguez to ask him some questions about the photograph and its authenticity. Although he denied the wolf was tame his answers were inadequate.
"I remember thinking, my God, this really is a wild wolf, what an
achievement," said Mark Carwardine, chairman of the judging panel. "I
don't understand the mentality at all. People feel very disappointed
with the photographer."
José Luis Rodriguez was stripped of his title and his £10,000 prize money was taken away. By the time this decision was made the photograph had already been published in thousands of books as well as postcards and posters being made and sold but a notice was put up by his photograph in the gallery explaining what had happened and why.
