One Earth Award

A black colobus monkey has its fur singed in preparation for sale at an illegal bush-meat market in Gabon.

The image won the One Earth Award, which "seeks to highlight the interaction between humans and the natural world," at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition on October 30, 2008.

"They singe the fur off, then sell the animals naked but intact," U.K. photographer David Maitland explained.

The shot was taken in Gabon's capital city, Libreville, where sea turtles, crocodiles, porcupines, antelopes, and other protected animals were openly on sale.

"It was only afterwards that I realized how strong this image was," Maitland said. "It was very upsetting to be there."