The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London, has released a sneak peek of 16 images from its 62nd edition. The contest received 65,403 entries from photographers worldwide, marking a record high. The competition, established in 1965, aims to inspire appreciation for nature and advocate for conservation. This year’s selection includes images capturing both the beauty and challenges of wildlife, such as a polar bear in Norway, a mosquito biting a venomous snake in Costa Rica, and a lichen dragon katydid in Ecuador.
The judges have already chosen 100 winning images, but the full collection will be announced in October. The competition highlights the diversity of wildlife and underscores the importance of protecting natural habitats, from urban settings like Tokyo to remote marine protected areas in the Seychelles. The images reflect both the resilience of species and the threats they face, including habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade.