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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

More info: Instagram | Facebook | nhm.ac.uk | x.com

#1

40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

Photo by Charlie Hamilton James.

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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

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Ashleigh Scully.

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    #3

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Yongqing Bao.

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    Sarah Bailey
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    😂😆 A Very Startled Ground Hog!

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    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.

    #4

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Samual Stone.

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    #5

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Ayala Fishaimer.

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    #7

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Tim Laman.

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    #8

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Martin Buzora.

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    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Elias Mugambe looks after orphan baby rhinos in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in N. Kenya.

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    #9

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Sergey Gorshkov.

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    #10

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Ganesh H Shankar.

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    #11

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Steve Winter.

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    #12

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Kim Hui Yu.

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    #13

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Suzi Eszterhas.

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    #14

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Christian Ziegler.

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    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    3 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope that bonobo chimp lets the mongoose baby go.

    #15

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Bruno D'Amicis.

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    #16

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Matthew Smith.

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    #17

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Gil Wizen.

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    #18

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Brent Stirton.

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    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    3 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the wonderful Virunga Park ranger Andre Bauma. He's cradling Ndakasi in her last moments. He looked after her from when she was found clinging to her m******d mother. This picture makes me weep. Thank you Andre. RIP Ndakasi.

    #19

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Petr Bambousek.

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    #21

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Steve Levi.

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    #22

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Martin Gregus.

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    #23

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Hikkaduwa Liyanage Prasantha Vinod.

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    #24

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Claire Waring.

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    #25

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Caitlin Henderson.

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    #26

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Andria Hautamaki.

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    #27

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Douglas Gimesy.

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    #28

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Jonny Armstrong.

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    #29

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Brent Stirton.

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    #30

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Robin Darius Conz.

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    #31

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Dhyeu Shah.

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    #32

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Karine Aigner.

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    #33

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Emily Garthwaite.

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    #34

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Sebastian Di Domenico.

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    #35

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Brent Stirton.

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    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This rhino calf is only a month old. Found wandering after poachers m******d her mother for her horn. Absolutely unspeakable bastards.

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    #37

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Ariel Fields.

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    #38

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Jo-Anne McArthur.

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    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rescued from a bushmeat market. Makes me so angry.

    #39

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Aaron Gekoski.

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    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Animals should not be used as tourist entertainment.

    #40

    40 Incredible Wildlife Photos That Won Awards In Previous Years Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

    Photo by Arshdeep Singh.

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