First prize photo of red-tailed green pit viper violated Vietnam Wildlife contest rules revoked

The organizing committee of the Vietnam Wildlife Photo Contest 2025 has just decided to revoke the first prize in the reptile - amphibian category of author Tran Anh Tuan.

Photo of red-tailed green pit viper by author Tran Anh Tuan, which won first prize in the reptile - amphibian category, was revoked.

The rules of the Vietnam Wildlife Photo Contest 2025 stipulate that entries that harm wildlife during the creation process will not be accepted.

The first prize-winning photo in the reptile - amphibian category by author Tran Anh Tuan violated this contest rule.

The organizing committee representative said that during the judging phase, the jury raised suspicions of staging in the photo of the red-tailed green pit viper (title of the work Warning Dance ).

Before announcing the results, the organizers contacted author Tran Anh Tuan to clarify. The author committed that the photos were taken in nature and not staged.

However, after the results were announced and the awards were presented, this photo received many negative comments from the community. Author Tran Anh Tuan sent a letter of apology, admitting that he staged the photo, moved the snake from its natural position, arranged the light, background, and pose according to his personal wishes, contrary to the principles and regulations of the contest.

“I take full responsibility for not providing complete and accurate information from the beginning, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings and affecting the reputation of the organizing committee, the jury, as well as the wildlife photography community.

I have no excuse for my mistake, but I would like to clarify that: all individuals in the photo shoot were wild animals, not kept in captivity, not harmed, and were released back into their habitat immediately after the photo shoot" - excerpt from the apology letter of author Tran Anh Tuan.

The Organizing Committee decided to revoke the awards, certificates, and remove photos from exhibitions and media publications for all photos by author Tran Anh Tuan.

The organizing committee representative admitted full responsibility for the error in the post-check stage. This error did not belong to the jury because the jury had raised doubts and questioned the author before announcing the prize.

“We apologize to the nature-loving community, authors and partners for this incident. The organizing committee appreciates the spirit of criticism and supervision from the community, and is committed to tightening the process to protect animal welfare and the integrity of the contest,” the organizing committee representative shared.

Previously, on the afternoon of November 8, the award ceremony of the photo contest Vietnam's wildlife and opening of the photo exhibition Dance from nature , taking place at SC VivoCity (HCMC).

This year's photo contest received 739 entries from 136 authors from 18 provinces and cities across the country.

The organizing committee awarded 8 prizes including 4 first prizes for 4 categories and 4 impressive prizes. In which, the first prize in the reptile category was awarded to author Tran Anh Tuan with the photo red-tailed green pit viper.

HOAI PHUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-hoi-giai-nhat-anh-ran-luc-duoi-do-vi-pham-dieu-le-cuoc-thi-thien-nhien-hoang-da-viet-nam-202511100905025.htm