Discover 25 jaw-dropping snapshots from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest!

This year’s remarkable images competing for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award provide unique and captivating glimpses into the natural world. Gaze into the eyes of a tree frog about to sing, marvel at the aerial stunts of a territorial bird, and witness a confrontation between a porcupine and a fiercely determined honey badger.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, established and organized by the Natural History Museum in London, is regarded as the premier contest of its type—hence its moniker, the “Oscars of wildlife photography.” For six decades, its panel of specialists has selected the most breathtaking images to receive accolades and recognition.

However, for one award, the privilege of judging is bestowed upon the public: Until January 29, a collection of 25 images is open for voting for the People’s Choice award.

Opening the judging process encourages “everyone to engage with the natural world,” states Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum in London, in a statement.

This year, the contest commenced with an array of 59,228 submissions from 117 nations and territories. The museum revealed its overall victors and highly commended photographs in the autumn. The images nominated for the People’s Choice award represent a newly unveiled selection, showcasing serene animal interactions, awe-inspiring behaviors, and urgent conservation needs.

Explore the finalists here, then cast your vote at the online gallery. The museum will declare the winner along with four runners-up on February 5.

In the meantime, here are the 25 awe-inspiring images in contention:

Annoying Neighbour by Bence Máté

A dazzling blue European roller in Hungary’s Kiskunság National Park appears suspended upside-down mid-flight, executing dramatic dives and rolls true to its name. The avian’s mating display features similar aerial maneuvers.

This species has a brief mating season, and the male bird aims to make the most of it—he “takes pleasure in irritating other birds that wander into its breeding territory,” as stated in a statement accompanying the image. The male might ambush the intruder and pursue it at high speeds.

In this instance, a little owl fell victim to the roller’s wrath. Both species have comparable nesting and feeding requirements, which sometimes causes them to maintain proximity when breeding. However, perched calmly on the branch, the raptor seems unfazed by the roller’s aerial intimidation tactics.

Hungarian photographer Bence Máté dedicated 27 days observing from a hide before seizing this shot.

Curious Connection by Nora Milligan

The call of a chimp resonated through Gabon’s Loango National Park. While on a guided expedition through the woods, American photographer Nora Milligan and her group halted, listening intently. A family of chimpanzees, known as the Rekambo group by researchers, emerged from the undergrowth and began to scale the nearby trees.

“This particular chimp paused, intrigued, and sat still long enough to observe me in return. I realized we had formed a genuine connection when he leaned forward and widened his eyes for a better view,” Milligan expresses on Instagram. “I hope my photograph can play a small role in motivating others to seek this same connection and look after all living beings on Earth.”

Edge of Night by Jess Findlay

In Vancouver, Canada, fields encircle an aging barn frequented by a barn owl. Gazing at the dilapidated structure, Canadian photographer Jess Findlay envisioned the white bird soaring out of the hayloft—but transforming that envisioned capture into reality required significant effort.

The photographer installed an invisible beam that would trigger when the owl exited the barn, activating a flash. He adjusted his camera for a slow shutter speed to capture ambient light and illuminate the clouds.

“As is often the case, it turned out to be a test of patience and ingenuity as challenges with equipment and batteries emerged, yet it proved to be a valuable learning opportunity,” Findlay wrote.on Instagram during 2019.

Armed with his camera, he patiently waited ten nights for this image, closely observing the bird’s behaviors. On the last night, the barn owl executed its expected flight, drifting like a specter in the night.

Icy Respite by Sue Flood

A Weddell seal relaxes on an ice floe found in Neko Harbor, an inlet located on the Antarctic Peninsula. Photographer Sue Flood from the United Kingdom observed the creature from a rigid inflatable boat, utilizing a long lens to focus in for this photo without disturbing the animal.

“It’s the serene simplicity of this scene that resonates with me the most,” Flood expresses on Instagram. “I wish for this image to encourage viewers to contemplate the beauty of these isolated landscapes and the fauna reliant on them.”

Weddell seals are garrulous mammals, sporting a range further south than any other seal globally. They dedicate significant time to hunting underwater, creating breathing holes in the ice. However, they do ascend onto ice floes to rest and reproduce.

Snuffling Sengi by Piotr Naskrecki

At twilight and dawn, the seldom-seen four-toed sengi appears to feast on insects. This elusive species, spotted in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park, may resemble a rodent—but it is actually more closely related to elephants. Its alternative name, the four-toed elephant shrew, alludes to its trunk-like snout.

Due to their skittish nature, Polish photographer Piotr Naskrecki aimed to avoid frightening them away—so instead of lying on the floor to obtain this picture, he employed a remote camera. This technique required him to anticipate where and when the mammals would search for food.

Fortunately, Naskrecki’s experience had informed him that sengis are “creatures of habit,” he noted on Instagram last March. “I have been tracking and photographing them for some time, and now I am aware not just of where they will forage but also at precisely what time.”

He monitored this individual for several weeks and discovered it traversed the same paths daily, enabling him to predict its appearance while foraging for beetles.

Wolf Pack by Arvind Ramamurthy

Not far from cultivating landscapes in Bhigwan, India, a pack of five wolves halts their frolic, each looking directly into the lens. Indian photographer Arvind Ramamurthy seized this moment, which he describes as a “distinct natural history moment,” in a video shared on Instagram. However, it also conveys a broader narrative, he mentions.

“As their original grassland habitats diminish, an increasing number of wolves are encroaching into agricultural areas,” Ramamurthy states in the video. “This situation brings them into direct confrontation with us humans.”

Farmers typically do not appreciate sharing their environment with the creatures, which might nibble on irrigation pipes or damage crops while playing in the fields. When he returned to this location to locate the pack again, Ramamurthy was informed that a farmer had driven the wolves away.

Yet, there remains hope for the species: “Indian wolves are resilient animals,” according to a statement. “With improved grassland management and conservation efforts, they could see a strong resurgence.”

Whiteout by Michel d’Oultremont

Barely distinguishable against the snowy background, a stoat sits upright and surveys its domain. Having observed stoats previously in Switzerland, Belgian photographer Michel d’Oultremont aimed to capture an image of one within his native country. Moreover, he intended to emphasize how the ermines—relatives of weasels and ferrets—can seamlessly merge into the snow.

Similar to the stoat, the photographer was also camouflaged—he took this photograph while underneath a white camouflage net, with only the lens of his camera protruding.

Earth and Sky by Francisco Negroni

Villarrica, one of the most active volcanoes in Chile, last erupted in 2015. However, it continues to release smoke and lava. Here, Chilean photographer Francisco Negroni documented the summit radiating a lava-red hue.

The glow from the volcano highlights a double lenticular cloud, or a UFO-like cloud structure formed when a mountain disrupts airflow, resulting in standing waves above it. To capture this image, Negroni spent ten nights close to the volcano.

According to Negroni, visiting the location is “quite an adventure—never knowing what kind of surprise the volcano may bring,” he mentions in a statement.

Pricked by David Northall

Honey badgers are recognized for their brave and audacious hunting skills, targeting prey significantly larger than themselves. However, this boldness can lead them into precarious predicaments—like this determined badger that attempted to confront a porcupine.

Photographer David Northall from the United Kingdom observed as the intrepid hunter seized the right hind leg of the porcupine. This move resulted in the honey badger receiving a face full of quills as the porcupine defended itself by backing into the aggressor. Unfazed, the badger returned shortly after, still impaled with quills but resolute in securing its meal.

Ultimately, the honey badger’s persistence paid off, and it emerged victorious.

Sounding the Alarm by Savannah Rose

Upon detecting an unfamiliar presence in its territory, a North American beaver will elevate its tail and bring it crashing down on the pond’s surface, producing a dull slapping sound that warns its kin of nearby risks. Photographer Savannah Rose from the United States dedicated years to capturing this fleeting behavior, which occurs in mere moments. Capturing every aspect of this frame—the beaver’s head raised, tail ready to strike, and droplets suspended in mid-air—requires immense patience and commitment.

The tail-slapping beaver, photographed in Jackson, Wyoming, became “one of my favorite subjects I’ve ever encountered,” Rose shares on Instagram.

Although the slap serves as a warning, “beavers often calm down quickly once they ascertain that the newcomer is not a threat,” according to a statement.

Unity by Ivan Ivanek

On Vietnam’s Sơn Trà peninsula, photographer Ivan Ivanek from the Czech Republic stumbled upon this pair of red-shanked douc langurs mating in the woods. The experience was “unexpectedly smooth and elegant,” contrasting with the behavior of other monkey species he had encountered, as noted in a statement.

Red-shanked douc langurs are critically endangered and can only be located in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Their populations are declining due to habitat destruction and the illegal wildlife trade. Ivanek spent days searching for signs of this species before finally encountering a small group, including the featured couple.

Dropped from the Skies by Carlo D’Aurizio

Upon discovering this stream in Italy’s Majella National Park, photographer Carlo D’Aurizio anticipated witnessing butterflies and dragonflies dancing around the water. Instead, he encountered insect carcasses floating, with no clarity on the cause of their fate.

It was a summer morning, yet the temperature had not been high enough to trigger a mass die-off. The cause of this “tragic collage” remains unknown, but it formed a still life encapsulated by the surface tension of the water.

An Excellent Scratch by Mark Williams

In shallow depths, a beluga whale curls up to shed its skin against the riverbed in the Northwest Passage of the Canadian Arctic. “Encountering the elusive and remarkable beluga is a memory I will cherish for a long time,” photographic artist Mark Williams from the U.K. and Canada expressed on Instagram last year.

Regarded for their vocal nature, beluga whales have garnered the title “canaries of the sea.” These light-hued, social creatures travel in groups and produce chirps, whistles, clicks, and squeals that Williams considered “otherworldly.”

However, similar to various Arctic species, belugas face hazards from climate change. “Their habitat is evolving faster than evolutionary adjustments can occur,” the photographer noted on Instagram. Orcas struggle to break through sea ice to create air holes, prompting belugas, seals, and other species to utilize icy regions as sanctuaries to elude orca threats. But with rising temperatures, the thawing sea ice is enabling orcas to reach territories that were previously inaccessible, putting extra pressure on prey populations.

Forest of Dreams by Samuel Bloch

While it sits quietly in a lush green woodland, this northern giant petrel remains still and tranquil—its enormous, hooked beak is the only indication of its predatory instinct. By showcasing the bird in this manner, French photographer Samuel Bloch challenges the usual expectation of how this species spends its time.

“Giant petrels are often portrayed as menacing predators and scavengers; they are typically seen lurking around penguin colonies and attempting to snatch chicks from their parents,” Bloch states on Instagram. “Here, the petrel is calmly perched at the edge of a verdant rātā forest, flanked by stunted growth birthed in the harsh, windy conditions of the Subantarctic Islands.”

Bloch snapped the image quickly and then vacated the scene to prevent unsettling the creature. Similar to many native birds of New Zealand, giant petrels are confronted with numerous dangers. The introduction of foreign predators to the islands, such as rodents, cats, and pigs, has devastated numerous bird populations.

Nonetheless, on Enderby Island, where Bloch observed this petrel, invaders were eradicated by 1994, “restoring the island to the vibrant sanctuary it was meant to be,” he mentions on Instagram. The photographer hopes that other islands will also experience restoration soon.

Unsold by Jose Fragozo

Cheetahs become ensnared in the illegal wildlife trade within the Somali Region of Ethiopia, often when farmers capture and sell them, alleging the animals posed a threat to their livelihood, according to a report. Not all cubs find buyers, however, and some are killed, as their parts, particularly bones, hold considerable value in Asian markets, particularly for bone soup.

Photographer Jose Fragozo from Portugal captured this moment during a rescue operation prompted by an anonymous tip-off. This cheetah cub had been removed from the wild and transported via camel to the northern coast of Somaliland. Although the young feline began to call for its mother, the rescue turned out to be successful, securing this cub and bringing it to safety.

“A significant aspect of Wildlife Photographer of the Year is shedding light on impactful and sometimes daunting tales about the natural environment, as well as the repercussions of human influence on the Earth,” the Wildlife Photographer of the Year account shares on Instagram. “We aspire that by increasing awareness of the challenges encountered by wildlife globally, we can motivate change and cultivate advocates for our natural surroundings.”

Scanning the Realm by Aaron Baggenstos

Perched on a rocky outcrop, a puma gazes over Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. A local conservation initiative established that park, as increasing numbers of individuals advocate for the protection of pumas.

The wild felines have encountered conflict with sheep ranchers, or gauchos, who occasionally shoot the pumas to safeguard their flock. Nevertheless, a recent program has implemented the use of sheepdogs, which protect the herds from predators and guide the cats towards their natural prey, thereby diminishing confrontations with the gauchos.

Furthermore, the establishment of the national park has attracted more tourists to the region, drawn by its natural beauty and wildlife. Now, the gauchos view pumas in a more favorable light, as they contribute to increased revenue through tourism.

“A transformation is occurring regarding human attitudes and perceptions of the puma,” American photographer Aaron Baggenstos states in a video on Instagram. “And there are some remarkable Chilean individuals who are paving the way for sustainable eco-tourism.”

The Brave Gecko by Willie Burger van Schalkwyk

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A massive ground gecko prepares for a mismatched confrontation against a southern pale chanting goshawk in South Africa’s Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

South African photographer Willie Burger van Schalkwyk observed the clash, which highlights a common hunting strategy of the hawk: traversing the terrain to pursue its prey by walking or running.

In the face of such a gigantic bird, the reptile’s prospects for survival were virtually nonexistent. Yet the photographer was “taken aback by the gecko’s courage,” as stated in a statement—the ill-fated creature stood its ground against the goshawk instead of merely attempting to flee.

No Access by Ian Wood

In St Leonards-on-Sea, England, locals had been leaving food remnants outside for the neighborhood foxes. This badger, likely enticed by the potential snack, was on the hunt.

Photographer Ian Wood from the United Kingdom spotted the Eurasian badger aptly walking before a wall featuring badger graffiti. Imagining the composite image that the pairing could create, he set a small hide and awaited the return of the badger with his camera.

As the creature meandered past, he captured the moment, depicting the badger appearing to gaze at its own reflection on the wall.

The Arrival by Brad Leue

Flood waters from northern Queensland had traversed the terrain for months, covering over 1,000 miles in their progression towards South Australia. From a helicopter, Australian photographer Brad Leue observed the waters surge toward Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, the largest inland lake in the nation and among the largest salt lakes globally.

“It is rather a surreal experience hearing the dry earth cracking and popping as water revitalizes the parched land,” Leue notes on Instagram. “A passing sandstorm and rain deluge rendered the scene dramatic and added further texture to an already stunning display.”

As the waters penetrate the desert, they rejuvenate the indigenous flora and fauna.

Aspen Shadows by Devon Pradhuman

Four gray wolves move in a single line across a snowy Yellowstone National Park, dotting an almost barren landscape. In this image, the mammals are accompanied solely by a cluster of aspen trees, bare against the winter backdrop.

American photographer Devon Pradhuman watched from afar as the wolves neared the trees, followed the tree line, and vanished over a hill in pursuit of their next meal.

Evening Song by Christian Brinkmann

Eurasian blackbirds are a frequent sight, but German photographer Christian Brinkmann sought to portray one in a creative, distinctive manner.

In Münster, a well-known fair named the Send featured colorful lights and festive music resonating near a castle. This bird perched close by, singing alongside its companions. Brinkmann aligned the silhouette of the blackbird with the fair’s illumination, crafting a unique interpretation of the species.

Sneak Attack by Erlend Haarberg

Norwegian photographer Erlend Haarberg noticed a playful polar bear cub on Svalbard.

archipelago. Its mother had escorted her two cubs to a walrus carcass on the beach, but this young bear had other plans: Venturing a little away from its family, the cub dove into the ocean, frolicking with seaweed and kelp.

After catching and consuming a sculpin, the polar bear attempted to hunt northern fulmars—seabirds resembling gulls—that had been resting on the water’s surface. The juvenile would approach from below, submerged, then surface and try to catch them off guard. Despite putting in considerable effort, the cub failed in all its attempts.

“Even though no catch was successful this instance, it was indeed an excellent lesson for the day he must become self-sufficient to survive,” notes the photographer on Instagram.

Meeting in the Marsh by Michael Forsberg

Still the rarest cranes on the planet, whooping cranes nearly vanished from Earth in the 1940s, with only 20 birds remaining. A tremendous human effort to restore their habitat, breed individuals in captivity, and instruct the birds on how to migrate with the aid of ultralight aircraft has revived their devastated population—now, about 600 whooping cranes roam freely.

In this moment captured by American photographer Michael Forsberg, a biologist—clad as one of the tall birds—slowly approaches a whooping crane. Swiftly, the scientist assessed the bird’s well-being and replaced a broken tracker. This cohort of cranes in Louisiana is non-migratory and was reintroduced in the state’s Bayou Country in 2011.

“Today, whooping cranes represent a success story with over 800 birds within wild and captive populations, thanks to years of committed conservationists, innovative scientific efforts, and the birds’ own resilience,” the photographer states on Instagram. “At this point, their future is firmly in our hands.”

Drifting Dinner by Noam Kortler

A decorator crab lives up to its name, employing a clever tactic for concealment. These crustaceans seek out bits of algae and tiny creatures, then attach them to hook-like bristles on their shells.

For this crab, the preferred adornments are hydroids, or small creatures related to jellyfish. These organisms can sting other animals, granting the crab a fierce and protective decorative cloak.

Israeli photographer Noam Kortler discovered this underwater tableau off the coast of Komodo Island, Indonesia. The decorator crab, adorned with hydroids, has perched upon a sea squirt as if it were a pedestal, its appendages extended to grasp passing plankton from the water for sustenance.

Using flash, the photographer captured the crab appearing to take center stage, radiant under the spotlight.

Concert in the Forest by Vincent Premel

When the initial rainfall occurs in French Guiana after a prolonged dry spell, tree frogs emerge in droves—they descend from the forest canopy and crawl out from below the surface. The water fills ponds, providing relief for wildlife and an optimal setting for amphibian breeding. With numerous frog species partaking, it creates such an intense spectacle that it’s referred to as “explosive breeding.”

“The concentration of individuals is difficult to fathom,” as per a statement. The sound is just as astonishing—one Surinam golden-eyed tree frog can produce a call that carries hundreds of yards away.

This particular individual, photographed by French photographer and herpetologist Vincent Premel, is gearing up to deliver one of those thunderous calls. It inflates its cheeks to emit the sound and continue its quest for a mate.