More than 65,000 images by photographers in 121 countries were submitted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The jurors selected 100 images, highlighting diverse wildlife and their habitats. The competition covers categories like animal behavior, portraits, and photojournalism. Highly commended entries include Ernest Porter’s ‘Mutual Friends’ (South Africa), where an oxpecker cleans a rhino’s bill, and Vegard Byrkjeland Aasen’s ‘Lifted to the Surface’ (Norway), depicting an orca supporting a calf.
Pietro Rojas’ ‘The Show Goes On’ (Qatar) highlights a brown bear performing in a circus, raising concerns about animal welfare. Other notable images include Jens Cullmann’s ‘Split-Second Escape’ (Botswana), Bence Máté’s ‘Flock of Gold’ (Kenya), and Shane Gross’s ‘Calm Amid the Storm’ (Seychelles). Winners will be announced on October 13, with an exhibition running at London’s Natural History Museum from October 16, 2026, to July 11, 2027.