WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER
I WAS A FINALIST IN THE NHM'S PRESTIGIOUS WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2022!
BSc in Zoology with Animal Behaviour
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT THE PAINTED WOLF FOUNDATION
Painted Wolf Foundation
I am lucky enough to be a part of the amazing Painted Wolf Foundation (@paintedwolf_org), an organisation that works hard to ensure the survival of, and raise awareness for, painted wolves. Known by many other names, including African wild dog and Cape hunting dog, there are only around 6,500 of these guys left in the wild. They are by far the closest species to my heart, having spent the last 8 years of my life working with, researching, photographing and loving them.
I am currently working as their Communications Manager, being hired in April 2024 after almost 4 years of volunteering with the charity.
In August/September 2022, I spent 3 weeks in Africa, including South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. It was the trip of a lifetime! See more on my main Instagram page @georgie.willetts!
Painted Wolf Foundation talk & signing event
RESEARCH
I have over 100 hours of research on wild dogs under my belt, having done my A-level EPQ on the question, "To what extent is the behaviour of African wild dogs dependent upon hierarchy?". This research has since been published, which for me was an amazing achievement that I am still so proud of.
I am now in my third year of university, and am studying the behaviour of African wild dogs once more for my dissertation.
Zoo & Wildlife Photography
I have been doing zoo photography now for the past 5 years or so. Almost every single animal I have photographed has come very close to my heart, but none quite as much as my wild dogs, especially the packs at Chester Zoo and London Zoo.
I have recently been fortunate enough to explore more wildlife than just in zoos, having visited both Finland and Africa in 2022, and India in 2024 to photograph & experience their native wildlife!
