(Above) The storybook wolf. © José Luis Rodríguez / Veolia Environnment Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition office at the Natural History Museum has released a statement following the "saddening" decision to disqualify the winning image taken by José Luis Rodriguez.
An investigation carried by organisers concluded that the leaping wolf used in Rodriguez's image was an animal model that had been hired for the picture – a fact strongly denied by the artist.
"It saddens us to confirm that after a careful and thorough investigation into the image, The Storybook Wolf, the co-owners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide have disqualified the winning entry of the photographer José Luis Rodriguez," said Louise Emerson, from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition office.
The Spanish photographer claimed to have captured the bloodthirsty Iberian wolf hurdling a fence in the wild after a daring trip under the cover of darkness.
"The judging panel was reconvened and concluded that it was likely that the wolf featured in the image was an animal model that can be hired for photographic purposes," added Emerson. "The image had been entered in breach of Rule 10 of the Competition."
Emerson said the judging panel had "looked at a range of evidence" and took "specialist advice" from panel judges, many of whom have extensive experience of photographing a range of wildlife including wolves. The responses to specific questions put to José Luis Rodriguez were also considered carefully.
"Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the world's most prestigious photography competition of its kind," she added.
"Any transgression of the competition rules is taken very seriously and if entries are suspected of breaching the rules they are disqualified."
Rodriguez strongly denies that the wolf in the image is a model. The decision now means that, as well as losing the winning tag, the image will also be removed from the exhibition and tour.
