THE EVESHAM based artist, Tor Hildyard has been short-listed for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year award.

Her painting of an elephant, called "Stepping Out", will feature in an exhibition at London’s prestigious Mall Galleries, from June 28 to July 2, where it will compete against other entries for a £10,000 top prize this summer.

"The sheer diversity of media and form this year has created an extraordinary celebration of the natural world and a huge challenge for the judges," says competition manager, Nina Neve. "Deciding between a fox, skilfully crafted from tin and a classic oil of a brooding tiger will make selecting the overall winner extremely hard."

One hundred and thirty six pieces have been shortlisted for the £10,000 sponsored top prize with the judges making their final selection on the morning of Monday, June 27, ahead of the private view and prize-giving that evening.

Wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd CBE said: "I set up my Foundation with the sole purpose of giving something back to the animals that helped me achieve success as an artist. At a time when the world's wildlife is under such devastating pressure from expanding human populations and the illegal trade it seems fitting that we take a step back and reflect on the sheer beauty and diversity of our natural world and what could be lost if we do not truly appreciate the value of the world around us."

Everything on show is for sale with profits supporting the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's wildlife conservation projects across Africa and Asia. Since 2007, the event has raised over £320,000 to help protect some the world's most endangered wildlife.