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Arrival, Gold Award, Behavior Birds class, Great egret. Kraft Azalea Garden, Winter Park, Florida
Fenqiang Liu,, U.S. – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
The World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) has introduced the 2026 winners of its annual picture competitors showcasing extraordinary wildlife photos capturing uncommon and intimate moments from throughout our treasured and endangered planet.
From the general profitable picture of a uncommon white humpback calf swimming fortunately along with his mom within the tropical waters of Vava’u, Tonga, to a bemused younger feminine gorilla observing a vibrant yellow butterfly dancing gracefully round her, the 2026 competitors attracted hundreds of entries from photographers throughout 51 international locations and 6 continents, highlighting the wonder, fragility and energy of the pure world.
Now in its seventh yr, the World Nature Photography Awards celebrates the world’s finest nature photographers whereas showcasing nature’s magnificence to a wider viewers, “in the hope that we all take steps, no matter how small, to save the planet for future generations.”
The 2026 World Nature Photography Awards high honor and money prize of $1,000 went to Australian photographer Jono Allen for his extraordinary {photograph} (under) capturing the bond between a uncommon white humpback whale and her mom.
“Sharing this second with Mãhina (the calf) and her protecting mom is a reminiscence that can stay with me eternally,” Jono Allen said. “It was one of the most extraordinary days I have ever experienced in the ocean — and perhaps ever will.”
Upon announcing the winners of the 2026 competition, the WNPA also officially opened a call for entries for 2027.
Overall Winner of World Nature Photographer: Vava’u, Tonga
Jono Allen, Australia, – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
In the tropical waters of Vava’u, Tonga, this rare white humpback calf named Mãhina – “moon” in Tongan — glows like a beam of light as she travels through the deep blue water with her protective mother.
As only one in 40,000 humpbacks is born with this lack of pigmentation, her presence is not only breathtaking but symbolic. Watching this spectacular and curious white whale calf play and roll through the water represents the remarkable success story of a species given the chance to recover after being heavily targeted by whaling and once being brought to the brink of extinction.
Considering the resilience of this awe-inspiring species, sightings of such rare individuals renews hope for what can happen when conservation is championed and wildlife is allowed to thrive. Mãhina is a living reminder of what is possible when conservation works: a species once on the brink, now rebounding.
What Lies Beneath, Silver Award, Underwater category; Port Charcot, Antarctica
Matthew Sharp, UK – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
Gentoo penguins iswimming lazily in Port Charcot, Antarctica.
Green sea turtle, Bronze Award, Underwater category; Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Aimee Jan, Australia – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
A green sea turtle seems undisturbed as it is surrounded by glass fish in Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
The Wildlife Photographer, Gold Award, People and Nature category
Deena Sveinsson, U.S. – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
After an evening snowfall in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Deena Sveinsson was watching many bull moose eat their morning breakfast of bitter brush. The bland bitter brush bored this one and he decided to go on a walkabout in the direction of the photographers.
“We quickly moved away to give the moose his space but, in all the haste, a tripod and camera ended up being left behind,” Sveinsson explains. “At first, the bull moose ignored the gear and began to thrash his antlers on the bitter brush. After his curiosity bought one of the best of him, the bull moose determined to take a look at the digicam gear.”
Determination, Bronze Award, Animal Portraits class; Mara North Conservancy, Kenya
Elizabeth Yicheng Shen, Taiwan/U.S. – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
A lioness transports her sleeping cub within the Mara North Conservancy, Kenya
Shared marvel, Gold Award, Animal Portraits class; Bwindi, Uganda
Mary Schrader. U.S. – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
It was a day outlined by quiet connections. Beneath the luxurious cover of Bwindi, Uganda, a younger feminine gorilla gently nestled towards the protecting bulk of a silverback. The ambiance was serene, stuffed with the mild sounds of the forest, till a sudden burst of delicate colour broke by the calm. An sudden customer, a vibrant butterfly, appeared out of nowhere, fluttering gently by the air.
Captivated, the younger gorilla’s eyes widened, and a stupendous interplay unfolded as a silent, shared marvel between two vastly completely different beings. As the butterfly danced gracefully across the gorilla, it appeared to embody the fragile magnificence and fragile interconnectedness of our pure world.
This {photograph} captures not simply the gorilla’s curiosity but in addition a quick, stunning second the place two creatures paused, noticing one another.
Water Ballet, Gold Award, Behavior-Mammals; Boteti River, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana
Vaidehi Chandrasekar Singapore – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
As the solar dipped low over the dry Makgadikgadi panorama in Botswana, a lone giraffe stepped to the water’s edge. Towering and swish, it bent its lengthy legs, reducing its neck for a drink.
Then got here a second of magic.
Having taken its fill, the giraffe lifted its head and with a delicate swish, expelled a stream of water in an arc that shimmered within the golden gentle. The droplets danced within the air, forming a near-perfect circle. With the animal’s define enhanced by the rim lighting, golden reflections sparkled off the airborne water. A uncommon and fleeting habits, made unforgettable by the setting solar.
Bear Hug, Silver Award, Behavior-Mammals class
Michael Stavrakakis, Australia – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
A bear hug between a mom polar bear and her six-month-old cub in Svalbard, Norway, imparts heat to the icy panorama.
Stoicism In A Sandstorm, Gold Award, Behavior- Amphibians and Reptiles class; Namib desert, Swakopmund, Namibia
Dewald Tromp, South Africa – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
The Namib desert is among the most excessive environments on earth, with an entire lack of floor water and temperatures exceeding 45C within the daytime.
Despite this, life is ample if the place to look.
Sandstorms are frequent, with wind blowing down from inland mountains that stirs up high-quality sediment and particles. A Namaqua chameleon has to endure the sting of pebbles blowing towards its pores and skin.
A fragile stability, Bronze Award, Amphibians and Reptiles class
Henning Olsen, Denmark – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
The stability is extraordinarily delicate as two damselflies dare to land on the top of a Grass Snake in Boserup Lake, Denmark.
The rugby gamers, Bronze Award, Black and White class; Solio Game Reserve, Kenya
Preeti and Prashant Chacko, UAE – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
The 4 rhinos seem like rugby gamers charging towards the white egrets within the Solio Game Reserve, Kenya
Sunbathing, Gold Award, Black and White class; Madison, Alabama
Christopher Baker, U.S. – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
An grownup pond slider turtle perches atop a stump to wash within the early morning solar.
Elder in flame, Gold Award, Plants and Fungi class; Glen Affric, Scotland
Duncan Wood, Scotland, – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
Golden autumn colours explode on this intimate portrait of an unimaginable, lichen-laden elder birch in full seasonal show, daring, sensible and stuffed with character – the arboreal model of a peacock in full feather.
Taken in Glen Affric, this picture captures a fleeting second of drama and wonder from one among Scotland’s most vibrant autumn landscapes.
Against the sunshine, Bronze Award, Plants and Fungi class. Sipoo, Finland
Kai Hypen Finland, – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
Juniper haircap moss and grey curly lichen had been shot towards the glittering gentle in Sipoo, Finland.
Climate Change, Bronze Award, Planet Earth’s Landscapes and EnvironmentsI class; Ilha do Cardoso State Park, São Paulo, Brazil
Thiago Campi, Brazil – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
Climate change exhibits its results in Ilha do Cardoso State Park, within the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Chimp Paradise, Gold Award, Nature Photojournalism class; Save the Chimps Fort Pierce, Florida
Alain Schroeder, Belgium – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
Kayla, a 37-year-old, 61.2 kilogram feminine chimp, lies within the process room along with his abdomen shaved for an ultrasound. Socks have been positioned on his extremities, and a fur hat with flaps on his head to keep away from hypothermia.
Founded in 1997, Save the Chimps is the biggest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary on the earth, offering a secure haven to captive chimps which were exploited by people for analysis, testing and leisure.
The 150-acre state-of-the-art facility in Florida is dwelling to greater than 220 rescued chimpanzees residing their very best lives amongst friends, because of a group of passionate veterinarians, caretakers and volunteers.
The Great Turtle Rescue, Silver Award, Nature Photojournalism class; South Padre Island, Texas
Sandesh Kadur, India – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
The Great Texas Freeze in February, 2021, led to hundreds of surprised and struggling inexperienced sea turtles. As the chilly entrance swept in, inexperienced sea turtles had been fully unprepared and unable to manage their physique temperature and metabolism to remain lively.
South Padre’s residents got here collectively and volunteers braved the chilly and swung into motion, accumulating greater than 5,000 turtles by the carload and bringing them to rescue and rehabilitation facilities on the island.
Under the watchful eyes of the volunteers and rescuers, the turtles might slowly deliver their core temperature as much as regular.
Fire Alert, Bronze Award, Nature Photojournalism class; Masai Mara, Kenya
Jonathan Wosinski, France – World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) 2026
Seasonal rains had been anticipated, however drought continued throughout Kenya’s Masai Mara. Smoke from conventional Masai administration fires drifted throughout the savannah, making a tense ambiance. This feminine leopard returned to her kill however as an alternative of dashing, she paused halfway up the tree, scanning her environment whereas smoke blurred the panorama behind.
Though the fires had been managed, the scene displays a wider concern: As local weather change alters ecosystems and wild areas proceed to shrink, how a lot room will stay for wildlife?
Many of this yr’s profitable photos from the World Nature Photography Awards — in addition to earlier award recipients — can be found as wall artwork by the WNPA online store, with the complete gallery of 2026 winners now out there to view here.
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This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you'll…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…