Gallery Trail: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022

A polar bear inside a house looking out a window
  • Grades 4 - 12
  • Ages 8-10, 11-14, 14+

Detail © Dmitry Kokh (Russia), Polar Frame.

Featuring 100 all-new images from across the globe, Wildlife Photographer of the Year presents a fresh look at the incredible life on our planet. Fascinating animal behaviour, otherworldly marine scenes, and breathtaking landscapes are revealed in ways the human eye might never see unaided. 

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

The Gallery Trail explores the following themes within the exhibition:

The Art of Photography illustrates the tips and tricks photographers use to elevate photographs from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

The Wild shows how photography can give us new insights into the natural world around us.

Take Action demonstrates how photographs can be used to create awareness and inspire people to act on major conservation issues.

Calling all photographers between the ages of 13 and 17!

Are you inspired by the remarkable photographs from Wildlife Photographer of the Year? From November 12, 2022 to March 12, 2023, share your wildlife photos from an unlocked Twitter or Instagram account and include @ROMtoronto and #ROMWPYJR

Grand Prize:

  • Nikon Z50 Kit courtesy of Henry’s
  • One-year ROM Curator’s Circle Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.
  • The winning photograph will be displayed at the ROM

Honourable Mention Prizes (x2):

One-year ROM Family Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.

Please see the ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest page for full contest rules and regulations. 

Museum Guidelines

  • Walk. Do not run.
  • Use indoor voices.
  • Stay with your adult.
  • Make way for ROM educators if they need a space for a lesson.
  • Don't touch objects. Only touch objects that are clearly marked as safe to touch.
  • Don’t rush. Focus your time on the objects that capture your interest and complete what you can within the time you have.
  • Ask questions and have fun!

Fast Facts

Polar Frame was taken by Dmitry Kokh (Russia). When Dmitry’s boat approached the small island of Kolyuchin, abandoned by humans since 1992, he was surprised to spot movement in one of the houses. Over 20 polar bears were exploring the ghost town. Polar bears are extremely inquisitive and will look for food in abandoned buildings. Reduced sea ice due to climate change makes hunting harder and pushes bears closer to human settlements.

Please Note

Please download and print your Gallery Trails ahead of time. You may bring pencils and clipboards for the students to use if required.  We have a limited supply onsite for your students to use only if necessary.

View and download this activity as a Google Doc

If remixing or modifying, please credit: "Adapted from a resource by the Royal Ontario Museum."