Second Place
Brian Skerry Freelance
"Facing An Uncertain Future"
Within the icy
sea of the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Canada's Magdalen Islands, a harp seal
pup floats at the surface. In 2003 hunters landed some 286,000 harp seals,
most of which were less than 4 months old. Being clubbed by hunters however,
is only one of the dangers these animals face; global warming in recent years
has resulted in thinning ice and a higher than normal pup mortality rate due
to pups being forced into the frigid sea ahead of schedule.
