Paws and Pixels

Paws and Pixels Wildlife photography with teeth. Big on detail. Sharp on timing. Partial to stripes.

Tigers, tamarins, rhinos and more — captured across UK zoos, edited with obsession, and delivered with clarity, character, and the occasional dramatic stare.

From alone… to finally having a pride. ❤️🦁This handsome boy is Oleg, and knowing his story makes seeing him so settled t...
03/09/2026

From alone… to finally having a pride. ❤️🦁

This handsome boy is Oleg, and knowing his story makes seeing him so settled today that little bit more special.

Almost a year ago, on 27th September 2025, Oleg arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park alongside Rafael and Shanti after an incredible 1,700-mile journey to safety from war-torn Ukraine.

Oleg had been rescued as a cub after his private owners fled the Sumy region. Raised by humans and without the companionship of other lions, he’d essentially grown up alone.

Rafael and Shanti had their own heartbreaking beginning, rescued from the Kharkiv region after being found beside their dying mother.

After arriving in Yorkshire, careful introductions began — and Oleg was finally given something he’d been missing for most of his life… lion friends. ❤️

The three now play, chase and relax together, with Oleg and Rafael apparently developing quite the little bromance. 😂

Almost twelve months later, this once solitary lion looks very much at home in Lion Country.

From surviving alone in Ukraine, to safe, settled and surrounded by friends in Yorkshire.

You’ve come a long way, big lad. 🦁❤️

📍 Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Happy 1st Birthday, Zaiya! 🎂🐘🎈A much happier post to finish the day… because this little lady is ONE today! ❤️Zaiya was ...
02/09/2026

Happy 1st Birthday, Zaiya! 🎂🐘🎈

A much happier post to finish the day… because this little lady is ONE today! ❤️

Zaiya was born at Blackpool Zoo on 2nd September 2025 to first-time mum Tara, becoming the zoo’s first successfully born female Asian elephant calf.

Her first few weeks weren’t entirely straightforward. After struggling to suckle naturally, Zaiya needed a little extra help from her dedicated keepers, who provided round-the-clock nutritional support while ensuring she could remain right where she belonged — alongside mum and the rest of the herd.

Her name means “strength” — and I think it’s fair to say she has lived up to it. ❤️

I was lucky enough to meet this muddy little character earlier this year, and she was an absolute joy to photograph.

Happy 1st birthday, Zaiya! Here’s to plenty more mud, mischief and adventures. 🎁🐘🥳

📍 Blackpool Zoo

02/09/2026

With so many AI-generated images online, here are seven moments I was actually there for. 📷🐾

Real animals, patience, and a camera ready when it mattered. These are the moments that make me love photography.

Which shot made you stop? 👀

Farewell, Sahee 💔🦁Sad news today from Hertfordshire Zoo, who have announced the passing of their beautiful male Asiatic ...
02/09/2026

Farewell, Sahee 💔🦁

Sad news today from Hertfordshire Zoo, who have announced the passing of their beautiful male Asiatic lion, Sahee.

I only had the privilege of meeting and photographing Sahee once, but he was one of those animals who immediately left an impression. An incredibly handsome and imposing lion, with a presence that was difficult to ignore.

Sahee originally came from Bristol Zoo, moving to The Big Cat Sanctuary in 2023 alongside Sonika following Bristol’s closure. In 2025, the pair moved once again to become the first Asiatic lions at Hertfordshire Zoo, taking up residence in the newly created Lions of India habitat.

Asiatic lions are an endangered species, surviving in the wild only in India, making animals such as Sahee important ambassadors for a species that came perilously close to disappearing altogether.

I feel very fortunate that on my one visit, he gave me this moment.

Sleep well, handsome boy. 🦁❤️

My thoughts are with everyone at Hertfordshire Zoo who cared for him, and of course with Sonika.

📍 Hertfordshire Zoo

Four little Valentine’s 😍🐆Mila, Dua, Rosa and Valentina — the four cheetah cubs born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Valen...
01/09/2026

Four little Valentine’s 😍🐆

Mila, Dua, Rosa and Valentina — the four cheetah cubs born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Valentine’s Day to mum Darcy and dad Brooke.

Getting all four together in one frame is one thing… getting them to actually cooperate for a family portrait is quite another! 😂

Although I’m still not going to pretend I can reliably tell you which one is which. 🤣

📍 Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Brothers making up for lost time… 🐻‍❄️💦Brodie is currently enjoying an extended holiday at Yorkshire Wildlife Park while...
01/09/2026

Brothers making up for lost time… 🐻‍❄️💦

Brodie is currently enjoying an extended holiday at Yorkshire Wildlife Park while his home enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park undergoes renovation — and his stay has brought about a rather special family reunion.

Brodie has recently been introduced to his big brother Hamish. Hamish had already left Highland Wildlife Park before Brodie was born, meaning the two brothers had never actually met.

Judging by this little session in the water, I’d say they’re getting acquainted just fine. 😂

There was wrestling, biting, paws flying and a LOT of water… basically standard brotherly behaviour.

Pretty special to watch two brothers who grew up apart finally getting the chance to spend time together. ❤️🐻‍❄️

📍 Yorkshire Wildlife Park

🐆 Growing up far too quickly… ❤️Born on Valentine’s Day, Darcy and Brooke’s four girls are already looking very differen...
31/08/2026

🐆 Growing up far too quickly… ❤️

Born on Valentine’s Day, Darcy and Brooke’s four girls are already looking very different from the tiny bundles of fluff that first ventured out earlier this year.

This little one decided to settle down right beside the fence line at Yorkshire Wildlife Park — close enough for a proper look at that beautiful little face and those enormous amber eyes. 😍

At just over six months old, those cub proportions are already starting to disappear. The legs are getting longer, the faces are changing, and they seem to be growing at a ridiculous rate of knots.

With the sad loss of their dad Brooke recently, watching these four continue to grow feels that little bit more special too. A little piece of him lives on in each of them. ❤️

Still very much a cub for now though… and apparently quite happy to lie there and stare straight down the lens. 📸🐆

📍 Cheetah Cub — born 14th February 2026
📍 Yorkshire Wildlife Park

🐯 Well… if we’re going to end Tujuh Week, we might as well end it properly.One final appearance from the ridiculously ph...
30/08/2026

🐯 Well… if we’re going to end Tujuh Week, we might as well end it properly.

One final appearance from the ridiculously photogenic Sumatran tiger who has somehow managed to take over Paws & Pixels for the last few days. 😂

And I think this might be one of my favourites.

Moving towards me through the vegetation at Lincoln Zoo, head low and eyes fixed forward, Tujuh has that unmistakable presence that makes him such an incredible animal to photograph.

The huge cheek ruffs, the mane running down either side of his face, those amber eyes — and enough foliage between us to make it feel like you’ve caught a glimpse of him moving through the forest.

A fitting way to bring Tujuh Week to an end.

Although, knowing me, he’ll probably be back by Tuesday. 🤣🐯

📍 Tujuh — Sumatran Tiger
📍 Lincoln Zoo

🐯 Apparently, it’s Tujuh Week now… 🤷‍♂️🤣I hadn’t planned on dedicating quite so much of the page to one tiger this week,...
29/08/2026

🐯 Apparently, it’s Tujuh Week now… 🤷‍♂️🤣

I hadn’t planned on dedicating quite so much of the page to one tiger this week, but Tujuh clearly had other ideas.

Every time I go back through the photographs from Lincoln Zoo, I seem to find another frame of him that deserves its moment.

And really… can you blame me?

That unmistakable Sumatran mane, those enormous cheek ruffs and a stare that seems to go straight through the camera. Tujuh is one of those animals where even a simple portrait has presence.

So yes, there’s definitely a theme developing.

Tujuh Week it is. 🐯😂

And judging by the number of photographs I still haven’t edited, I make absolutely no promises that it’ll only last a week…

📍 Tujuh — Sumatran Tiger
📍 Lincoln Zoo

🐺 Through the undergrowth…Sometimes the things between you and your subject can become part of the photograph.Caught thr...
28/08/2026

🐺 Through the undergrowth…

Sometimes the things between you and your subject can become part of the photograph.

Caught through the foliage at Lincoln Zoo, this white wolf was partially hidden amongst the greenery — with just enough of an opening for those unmistakable amber eyes to find their way through.

Rather than fighting the vegetation, I quite liked the way it framed the face; the soft leaves and branches almost give the feeling of catching a glimpse into a world we’re not really supposed to be part of.

Not every wildlife portrait needs a perfectly clear view. Sometimes, a little mystery makes the moment. 🐺🌿

📍 White Wolf
📍 Lincoln Zoo

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