Fragility

• Prize
• Photographer
  SHANNON HINSON-WITZ, United States

A project on the mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of
Congo.

In the jungle of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo I found the subjects for my project. They are the
mountain gorillas of the Humba and Nakamwe families.

My images are portraits of a critically endangered species under
constant threat by the forces of nature and humans alike in a
country known for chaos, corruption and brutality.

I photograph these gorillas with the hope the viewer will connect
with the intelligence, personality and dignity of these amazing
animals and will be inspired to help protect them and their habitat.