2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners announced

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London since 1964, has announced its 2026 winners following the submission of over 65,000 photographs from around the world. The winning images, selected from 100 entries, include works by three French photographers compiled in a book published by Biotope. The competition highlights both the beauty of the natural world and the increasing impact of human activity on wildlife.

Italian photographer wins top honors

The overall winner, Italian photographer Federico Veronesi, received two awards. He won the ultimate prize for his photograph titled "Deuil parental" and the "Déclic écologique" award for a portrait of a group of white rhinos in the Solio Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. The image captures the rhinos gathering around a water source under the heat of an October day.

Rhino conservation in Kenya

Solio, covering 7,700 hectares of bush and savanna, has played a significant role in the protection, breeding, and relocation of black rhinos, an endangered species, and the reintroduction of white rhinos into national parks and reserves in Kenya. The rhinos in the image retain their horns, unlike in many other African reserves where dehorning is practiced to deter poachers.

Elephant mourning behavior in Namibia

In the Damaraland region of Namibia, Veronesi captured an image of an elephant carrying the body of its deceased calf. The behavior, while observed in primates and cetaceans, is less documented in elephants. The elephant briefly set the calf down, allowing other elephants to approach and touch it with their trunks before continuing its journey.

Urban coyotes in San Francisco

In San Francisco’s Bernal Heights Park, a coyote was photographed as part of a resident pack that has returned to the area since the early 2000s. Authorities advise residents not to approach or feed coyotes to prevent them from becoming accustomed to human presence.

Hypersaline lakes in Utah

In Utah’s Great Salt Lake, photographer Alex Visbal captured an image of a dike separating two hypersaline lakes. The left lake’s pink hue is due to microorganisms, while the right lake has lower salinity. The lake, once a major wetland in North America, now faces threats from industrial activity, reduced river flow, and climate change.

Elephant and zebra interaction in Kenya

In Kenya’s Chyulu Hills, photographer James Lewin captured an image of an elephant spraying water at a zebra during the dry season. The image highlights the hierarchical drinking order at water sources, with elephants having priority over smaller animals. The presence of elephants may influence the behavior of other herbivores, possibly due to increased vigilance against predators.

Urban lizard in Bangkok

In Bangkok, photographer Seth Forestson captured an image of a water monitor lizard carrying a fish carcass in a city park. The lizard, one of the largest in the world, thrives in urban environments in Southeast Asia. Forestson spent a month cycling through the park to capture the lizard in action, highlighting the coexistence of wildlife and urban life.

Sea snake mating in Japan

In Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, photographer Tony Wu documented the mating behavior of the Abbott’s sea snake. Guided by a red light to minimize disturbance, Wu captured the rare event of a male and female mating in the dark waters. The image, likely the first of its kind, will be used in a scientific publication.

Scorpion burrow in India

In the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India, photographer Sitaram Raul captured a scorpion digging a burrow in the sand. The scorpion, likely of the genus Buthacus, is adapted to sandy environments with specialized bristles. The image highlights the challenges scorpions face in creating stable burrows in shifting sands.

California newt in a murky pond

In a murky pond in a forested area, photographer Anton captured a female California newt laying eggs. The newt protects its eggs from predators until the gelatinous coating hardens. The image was taken when the pond was too murky for diving, requiring Anton to photograph the newt from the shore.

Shoebill nesting in Uganda

In Uganda’s Mabamba Swamp, photographer Isak Pretorius captured a pair of shoebills gathering materials for their nest. The image, taken during the breeding season, highlights the rare opportunity to observe these elusive birds. Shoebills, which can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, are found in large papyrus swamps in East Africa, with fewer than 5,300 adults remaining in their range.