Human Connection Award: People & Planet Ocean 2023, SA - Oceanographic
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Finalist Human Connection Award: People & Planet Ocean

Sirachai Arunrugstichai Rayong, Thailand

12°41'43.8"N 101°38'07.8"E

Paradorn, an orphaned Irrawaddy dolphin calf is cradled to sleep by a caretaker at the Marine Endangered Species Veterinarian Hospital in Rayong, Thailand. "The baby dolphin was rescued from a stranding in the Gulf of Thailand and was taken into care as the chance for an orphaned dolphin to survive on its own without its mother in the wild is slim," says Arunrugstichai. "Sadly, the dolphin calf eventually died a month later despite the efforts by the caretakers."

BEHIND THE LENS

Human Connection Award: People & Planet Ocean 2023, SA

Sirachai Arunrugstichai Thailand

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ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Rainy evening
  • Thunderstorm conditions
  • Taken in rehabilitation pond
  • 3-day shoot

Sirachai “Shin” Arunrugstichai is an independent photojournalist and marine biologist, specialising in marine conservation stories. He is an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and a National Geographic Explorer. Shin regularly works for various conservation organisations and covers news as a stringer for Getty Images. His photographs have been published in National Geographic, Smithsonian, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Guardian, among many others. 


MORE IMAGES BY Sirachai Arunrugstichai

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Ocean Portfolio Award

2023 Thailand

Ocean Portfolio Award 2023, Sirachai Arunrugstichai

Conservation (Impact)Photographer of the Year

2023 Myeik, Myanmar

Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact) 2023, SA2

Conservation (Impact)Photographer of the Year

2023 Rayong, Thailand

Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact) 2023, SA

ExplorationPhotographer of the Year

2020 Thailand

2020 EPoY finalist, Sirachai Arunrugstichai

Reconnect. Immerse yourself. Be inspired.

Enjoy the vibrancy, beauty and impact of each year's finalist photography, celebrated in our Ocean Photographer of the Year coffee table book collection.

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