10/09/2026
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BC SPCA announces winners of 2026 Wildlife-in-Focus Photography Contest
BC SPCA announces winners of 2026 Wildlife-in-Focus Photography Contest
October 9, 2026. For immediate release.
The BC SPCA announced the winners of the 18th annual Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest on October 9, recognizing the top three winners in both Backyard Habitats and Wild Settings categories.
The judges of the Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest had a difficult time again this year choosing the top three winners in each category: Backyard Habitats, highlighting humans’ special relationship with wild animals in our backyards, and Wild Settings, featuring photos of animals in their natural habitats.
It was a close call among the winners, with many incredible photos receiving honourable mentions. “More than 450 photos were submitted celebrating B.C.’s diverse wildlife and supporting our advocacy for wild animals,” said Hailey Boehner, BC SPCA’s wild animal welfare specialist. “Our team thanks all the participants for sharing their amazing photos of B.C.’s incredible wildlife and helping to raise over $9,400 to help the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre care for injured, sick and orphaned wild animals.”
The top three photos in each category along with the first-place People's Choice Award are featured on a limited-edition Wildlife-in-Focus trail mug, to appreciate stunning images of wildlife while enjoying your morning cup of coffee in the great outdoors! These winning photos, and some equally spectacular honourable mentions, are also featured in a brand-new set of wildlife greeting cards. Purchase a trail mug for your outdoor explorer friends or greeting cards for the wildlife-lover in your life through the BC SPCA’s online store.
The winners are:
Backyard Habitats
1st – Heather Rolling (Fort St. John) - Fox
2nd – Peter Cortes (Victoria) – Bald eagles
3rd – Sam Gorick (Mill Bay) – Raccoons
Wild Settings
1st – Alan Milnes (Kelowna) – Killer whale
2nd – Martin Ross (Cranbrook) – Sea otters
3rd – Cian Cain (Peachland) – White-crowned sparrow
People's Choice Award
Kim Edwards (West Kelowna) - Great horned owl
Honourable Mentions
Sebastien Nadeau (Squamish) - Short-eared owl
Noah Kumada (Nanaimo) - Ladybug
Sandy Bowie (Sooke) - Cougar
Kieran Skerlec (West Kelowna) - Bald eagles
Mike Douthwright (Kamloops) - Bighorn sheep
Joyce Xu (Burnaby) - Bobcat
Lucas Friesen (Vancouver) - Black bear
Nikki Fosbery (100 Mile House) - American white pelicans
