METHOD ACTING AT ITS BEST
Found in the waters of Southeast Asia , the mimic octopus ( Thaumoctopus mimicus ) is an old-timey actor who can turn her hand to pretty much any role … especially if it ’ s a baddy . From sea snakes to stingrays , starfish to jellyfish , this octopus can have even the most switched-on audience believing she ’ s something else .
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
Endemic to the rainforests of New Guinea , the male masked bowerbird ( Sericulus aureus ) puts on a show to make any Broadway baby blush . First he starts by extravagantly decorating a structure
( sounds like a set to me , ed ) with sticks and brightly coloured objects – sadly , today , this can also include a lot of plastic . Next , he begins pulsing his pupils one at a time and making a strange call from deep in his throat . Then he dances around the forest floor using his wings much like a magician ’ s cape . Is this all in the name of art ? Nope . He ’ s just trying to attract a mate .
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
What an icon for animal conservation ! The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) has featured in the World Wildlife Fund ( WWF ) logo ever since the organisation was founded , in 1961 . Throughout the last 60 years these beautiful bears have been listed as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching . Thankfully though , their numbers have slowly started to rise again . In 2017 , the species was upgraded from endangered to vulnerable . If this doesn ’ t deserve an award , then we don ’ t know what does !
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