Amateur photographers honoured in IFAW competition celebrating UK wildlife

IFAW, which works to protect animals in the UK and around the world, staged the competition to celebrate British wildlife and encouraged supporters to submit favourite photographs.

By far the most popular choice was the fox, with the majority of photographs received by IFAW depicting either foxes or deer.

The top five winners each received a Sony digital camera, with five runners-up prizes of cuddly toy foxes.

The top 10 photographs can now be seen here.

Foxes, deer, hare and mink are currently protected from being cruelly hunted with dogs following the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004. However, the coalition Government has pledged to hold a free vote for MPs to reopen the debate on possible repeal of the ban.

IFAW’s UK Director, Robbie Marsland, said: “At a time when foxes, deer, hare and mink face the threat of parliamentary votes on possible repeal of the Hunting Act, it is gratifying to see so many members of the public enjoying witnessing these animals in the wild and sharing their photographs of them.”

IFAW is urging MPs to listen to the compassionate majority of the UK public who do not want to see a return to the cruel so-called ‘sport’ of hunting with dogs.