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40 Breathtaking Shots That Won Awards In The Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Competition
Every year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition reminds us how powerful photography can be when it comes to telling the story of the natural world. Organized by the Natural History Museum in London, it is widely considered one of the most prestigious wildlife photography competitions in the world, attracting thousands of photographers from across the globe.
For this post, we selected 40 extraordinary photographs awarded in previous editions of the competition. These remarkable images capture unforgettable moments in the wild—from dramatic predator-prey encounters to quiet, intimate scenes between animals and their young.
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#1
Photo by Charlie Hamilton James.
Many of the photographs reveal the fragile beauty of wildlife in untouched habitats, while others highlight the growing challenges animals face as human activity continues to reshape the planet. Together, they offer a powerful glimpse into both the wonder and vulnerability of life in the natural world.
Behind every image is not only technical skill, but also patience, persistence, and deep respect for nature. Wildlife photographers often spend days, weeks, or even months waiting for the right moment to unfold, sometimes in harsh or unpredictable conditions.
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#2
Photo by Ashleigh Scully.
#3
Photo by Martin Buzora.
Meanwhile, the latest edition of the competition is currently capturing the attention of audiences worldwide through the People’s Choice Award. This special category invites the public to vote for their favorite image from a selection of outstanding finalists.
Voting is open to everyone and will close next Wednesday, with the winner set to be officially announced on March 25.
Until the new People’s Choice winner is revealed, these award-winning photographs from previous years offer a powerful reminder of why the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition continues to inspire millions of people around the world. Each image tells a story, celebrating the beauty, drama, and delicate balance of life in the wild.
#5
Photo by Yongqing Bao.
#8
Photo by Steve Winter.
#9
Photo by Neil Anderson.
Beth Wheeler 7 months ago
Squirrels are cute until the chew on the plastic gas lines of your car. Seriously GM who came up with that bone head idea? I found stainless steel braided lines & will be here in a couple of days.
#12
Photo by Karine Aigner.
#13
Photo by Tim Laman.
Diana Harris 7 months ago
Beautiful...we need to save these gorgeous beings and their habitat!!
#14
Photo by Kim Hui Yu.
#18
Photo by Jonny Armstrong.
Leslie Cookietown 7 months ago
The coyote's habitat & food sources are getting smaller each year due to urban sprawl.
#19
Photo by Suzi Eszterhas.
#20
Photo by Matthew Smith.
#21
Photo by Petr Bambousek.
#22
Photo by Brent Stirton.
Leslie Cookietown 7 months ago
Caring for chimps would be a dream job! Who doesn't love the loveable chimpanzee?!
#23
Photo by Hikkaduwa Liyanage Prasantha Vinod.
#24
Photo by Gil Wizen.
#25
Photo by Gil Wizen.
#26
Photo by Jo-Anne McArthur.
#27
Photo by Douglas Gimesy.
#28
Photo by Caitlin Henderson.
#30
Photo by Robin Darius Conz.
#31
Photo by Dhyeu Shah.
Marlene Ricker 7 months ago
What a beaut! Unfortunately, I don't know what kind of monkey he is!
#33
Photo by Claire Waring.
#34
Photo by Adam Hakim Haga.
#36
Photo by Sebastian Di Domenico.
#38
Photo by Arshdeep Singh.
#39
Photo by Emily Garthwaite.
Leslie Cookietown 7 months ago
The look on his face says everything; poor creature of God. ALL animals DESERVE to be free.
#40
Photo by Aaron Gekoski.
Leslie Cookietown 7 months ago
I just hope that he's NOT exploited for somebody else's monetary gain. We can only pray that he's being loved and cared for.🙏
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Diana Harris 7 months ago
Beautiful photos yet heartbreaking, showing some of the worst of humanity. Rangers and carers are superheroes wuthout capes and they deserve the best in life....the cowardly killers deserve the worst....Karma!
Diana Harris 7 months ago
Beautiful photos yet heartbreaking, showing some of the worst of humanity. Rangers and carers are superheroes wuthout capes and they deserve the best in life....the cowardly killers deserve the worst....Karma!
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