Four-year-old Hongkonger Isaac Alvin Lam painted a den of snakes, winning the traditional art category at the contest. Illustration: Isaac Alvin Lam

 
Four-year-old Isaac Alvin Lam from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was voted the winner in the traditional art category at the 2024 World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest and 15-year-old Mao Yanjun from the Chinese mainland won in the Age 15-18 category, according to a press release from the contest on Tuesday.

The contest is hosted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), in partnership with the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This was the sixth year of the contest, with a theme of "Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation." 

The entries featured species that benefit from technology, such as camera traps and tracking devices, aiming to showcase the importance of digital technology to safeguard biodiversity. 

Eventually, the winners were selected from a record 3,000-plus entries, representing 141 different countries and regions around the world. Four-year-old participant Isaac ended up winning by depicting a den of snakes in rich colors. The winner of the digital art category was 18-year-old Noh Sangeun from Singapore, whose entry featured cranes.

"This was a record-breaking year for global submissions and the talent displayed in the art pieces is extraordinary," said Danielle Kessler, US director with the IFAW.

"The world's biodiversity is sadly disappearing at alarming rates, and the passionate submissions gathered from around the world reinforce a dedication to wildlife conservation from future generations, which is exactly what the world needs. It is an honor to continue hosting this global contest that provides them with a platform for such expression," said Kessler, who also offered congratulations to all the participants "for contributing such amazing pieces."

The CITES and UNDP also spoke of the importance of young people from around the world in conserving and protecting imperiled species.

"I'm very pleased to congratulate our winners," said CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero. "I would also like to recognize the talent and commitment of all our entrants. It is uplifting to see so many young people, from so many countries, recognize the value in partnerships and technology to conserve and protect imperiled species."

"The UNDP would like to warmly congratulate Isaac and Noh," said Head of Ecosystems and Biodiversity at the UNDP Midori Paxton. "Their paintings capture how a young person can be inspired in a variety of ways to help protect and conserve species," said Paxton.