Recognising the best of Australasian zoological literature

Paradise Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters, New Zealand geckos and native bees, marine biology and the fossil fauna of ancient Queensland have been placed in the spotlight as the Royal Zoological Society of NSW announces their prestigious Whitley Awards for zoological literature.

Awarded annually, the Whitley Awards recognise the best publications that profile the unique wildlife of the Australasian region. These awards are named after Gilbert Whitley, the fish Curator at the Australian Museum for many years (1926-1964). He was very active on the Council of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW as President and was editor of the Society’s journal, Australian Zoologist, from 1947-1971. He published many scientific papers and these prestigious awards which recognise the best of Australasian zoological literature are fittingly named after him.

This year we have awarded 10 Certificates of Commendations in a range of categories including children’s books, zoological reference books, field guides and urban zoology. Five of these Awards are for children’s books representing books suitable for different age groups. The Society encourages publishers to submit such books as these readers represent our next generation of zoologists.

Congratulations to all this years' awardees.

Download the 2025 Whitley Awards Media Release here.