The Natural History Museum in London has unveiled an exclusive first look at 15 breathtaking photos from the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) competition, offering audiences a glimpse into the artistry and power of nature photography at its finest. From the tension-filled stare of a lion confronting a cobra, to the haunting beauty of Arctic wolves on the move, and the dramatic flight of bats captured midair, these images reveal extraordinary moments from the wild that few ever get to witness firsthand.
Photo by: Amit Eshel
This year’s contest broke records, attracting 60,636 entries, the largest number in the competition’s history. Out of these, 100 images will be showcased in the much-anticipated exhibition at the Natural History Museum, opening on October 17, 2025. The 15 photos released ahead of time offer a striking preview of the visual journey awaiting visitors.
The winners, including the prestigious Grand Title and Young Grand Title awards, will be announced on October 14, 2025, during a special ceremony hosted by wildlife presenters and conservationists Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin. A highlight of this year’s competition is the remarkable number of young participants, with photographers as young as nine capturing moments that rival those of seasoned professionals.
Beyond awe-inspiring imagery, the exhibition also emphasizes the urgent realities facing the natural world. Many of the photos reflect themes of habitat loss, human impact, and the resilience of wildlife in a rapidly changing environment. To reinforce this, the Natural History Museum will integrate insights from its Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII), highlighting the state of ecosystems around the globe.
These 15 photographs are not only artistic triumphs but also vital reminders of why conservation matters—each frame a testament to nature’s beauty, fragility, and enduring spirit.
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#1. Highly Commended, Animal Portraits: "Wake-up Call" by Gabriella Comi (Italy)
#2. Highly Commended, Urban Wildlife: "Nature Reclaims Its Space" by Sitaram Raul (India)
#3. Highly Commended, Animal Portraits: "Inside the Pack" by Amit Eshel (Israel)
#4. Highly Commended, Animals in their Environment: "Ice Edge Journey" by Bertie Gregory (United Kingdom)
#5. Highly Commended, Urban Wildlife: "No Place Like Home" by Emmanuel Tardy (France)
#6. Highly Commended, Photojournalism: "Toxic Tip" by Lakshitha Karunarathna (Sri Lanka)
#7. Highly Commended, Wetlands – The Bigger Picture: "Clouds of Gold" by Jassen Todorov (USA)
#8. Highly Commended, Wetlands – The Bigger Picture: "Fragile River of Life" by Isaac Szabo (USA)
#9. Highly Commended, 10 Years and Under: "Rutting Call" by Jamie Smart (United Kingdom)
#10. Highly Commended, 11-14 Years: "Essence of Kamchatka" by Kesshav Vikram (India)
#11. Highly Commended, 15-17 Years: "Pink Pose" by Leana Kuster (Switzerland)
#12. Highly Commended, 11-14 Years: "A Tale of Two Coyotes" by Parham Pourahmad (USA)
#13. Highly Commended, Natural Artistry: "Slime Family Portrait" by Kutub Uddin (Bangladesh)
#14. Highly Commended, Behavior – Mammals: "Deadly Lessons" by Marina Cano (Spain)
#15. Highly Commended, Underwater: "Jelly Smack Summer" by Ralph Pace (USA)
