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Every year, photographers from around the world share incredible images on Wikimedia Commons, capturing the beauty and diversity of life on Earth. The Picture of the Year 2025 marks the 20th edition of this annual competition, celebrating some of the best contributions from the global community.
This year, animal photography once again stands out, with powerful images that go beyond aesthetics to tell stories about the natural world. From intimate moments to dramatic scenes in the wild, these photos highlight just how fascinating and fragile life on our planet can be.
We’ve selected 30 of the most striking animal photos that could take the title this year. Scroll down to explore them and see which one deserves your vote.
More info: commons.wikimedia.org
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#1
Chital In Keoladeo National Park, India
Image by Giles Laurent
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#3
Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone Paradisi)
Image by Kaim Amin.
#4
Proboscis Bats (Rhynchonycteris Naso), Also Referred To As The Brazilian Long-Nosed, River, And Sharp-Nosed Bat
Image by Rhododendrites
#5
Two Red Panda Cubs Perched In A Tree, Gazing Down In Mangingoth, Langtang National Park, Nepal
Image by Ganga Raj Sunuwar
#6
A Tufted Gray Langur (Semnopithecus Priam) Stroking A Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa Macroura) Caringly At Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Image by Senthi Aathavan Senthilverl
#8
The Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias Thalassinus)
Image by Sanjoykumar99
#9
African Blue Flycatcher (Elminia Longicauda) At Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda
Image by Giles Laurent
#10
Barn Swallow In A Dancing Pose After Taking A Quick Dip In The Nagdaha Lake, Lalitpur District, Bagmati Province, Nepal
Image by Prasan Shrestha
#11
Night At Hale, Hampshire, England. I Think This Badger Turned Up After A Swim
Image by Andy Morffew
#13
Golden Mantled Howler Monkey And Baby (Alouatta Palliata Palliata)
Image by Rhododendrites
#14
The Calico Cat Is A Domestic Cat With A Tricolor Coat Composed Predominantly Of White With Large Orange And Black Spots
Image by Terragio67
#15
Rose-Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula Krameri)
Image by Princepauljoy
Liliana Spiro 5 days ago
Since this one is lacking the distinct pink and black neck ring found on males - it's a mama
#16
Verreaux's Sifaka (Propithecus Verreauxi) Near Réserve Peyrieras, Madagascar
Image by Charlesjsharp
#17
Indian Flying Fox In Keoladeo National Park, India
Image by Giles Laurent
#18
Strawberry Poison Dart Frog
Image by Rhododendrites
Liliana Spiro 5 days ago (edited)
Wow! This specific coloration is colloquially known as the Blue Jeans Morph. The defense mechanism of bright colors in toxic breeds is known as aposematic coloration. Sorry but I used to be a very inquisitive kid and into nature. Still love nature and certain little facts apparently stuck, so can't resist to share...
#19
Humpback Whale Breaching In Ballena Marine National Park, Costa Rica
The reasons why whales practice breaching are still unknown today. Some hypotheses, among others, are that breaching is done in order to either communicate, court, assert dominance, warn of danger, remove parasites from the skin, or play.
Image by Giles Laurent
#20
Rhesus Macaque (Macaca Mulatta)
Image by Theklan
#21
Giant Otter Eating A Fish Caught From The River In Parque Estadual Encontro Das Águas, Brazil
Image by Giles Laurent
#22
Lineated Barbet (Psilopogon Lineatus)
Image by Moheen
#23
Macro Photo Of Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus Planirostris) Eggs On A Human's Fingertip With Embryos Visible Inside
Image by Alex Abair
Liliana Spiro 5 days ago
Not to sound grumpy... As fascinating as this may be, I don't like it when living wild beings are picked up and out of their natural zones
#24
Angolan Giraffe Silhouette At Sunrise In The Kalahari Desert Of Namibia
Image by Giles Laurent
#25
Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus), Also Called Norway Rat Or Common Rat, Claiming Abandoned Food Containers In Mathias Baldwin Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Image by Chuck Homler.
#26
Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur Catta), Anja Community Reserve, Madagascar
Image by Charles J. Sharp
#27
Saddleback Clownfish (''Amphiprion Polymnus'') In A Mertens' Carpet Sea Anemone (''Stichodactyla Mertensii''), Anilao, Philippines
Image by Diego Delso
#28
Gulf Blenny (''Ecsenius Pulcher''), Ad Dimaniyat Islands, Oman
Image by Diego Delso
Liliana Spiro 5 days ago
This appears to be a female, as it lacks the large, sail-like dorsal fin, found in males - which is used to attract females
#29
Great Egret (Ardea Alba) Fishing During A Foggy Day At Champ-Pittet, Switzerland
Image by Giles Laurent
#30
Piliocolobus Kirkii, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania
Image by Poco a poco
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What do you think ?
Liliana Spiro 5 days ago
Thank you, Hidrėlėy and Gabriela for a lovely article/post! It's very much appreciated 🌞
Whiskers 5 days ago
And I also thank Liliana. You all always get my attention!😻
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Liliana Spiro 5 days ago
Thank you, Hidrėlėy and Gabriela for a lovely article/post! It's very much appreciated 🌞
Whiskers 5 days ago
And I also thank Liliana. You all always get my attention!😻
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