A striking collection of 100 images has been shortlisted for the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, featuring remarkable scenes such as a polar bear peering into an ice hole. These finalists were selected from a massive pool of more than 65,000 entries submitted by photographers across 121 countries and territories, according to officials at London’s Natural History Museum.
Jury chair Kathy Moran expressed her admiration for the quality of the submissions, noting that the standard of entries continues to defy her expectations every year. The competition has produced a series of truly extraordinary images, ranging from a black vulture perched on a yacaré caiman carcass to an oxpecker grooming a rhino and an African bullfrog hunting a butterfly.
Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, emphasized the importance of these photographs in the current climate. He stated that at a time when nature faces unprecedented pressure, these images serve as a poignant reminder of what is at stake and what remains worth protecting. Gurr added that visitors to the upcoming exhibition will find it impossible to leave without a renewed sense of wonder for the planet.
The competition will reach its conclusion on October 13, when the overall and category winners are officially announced. Following the announcement, a public exhibition is scheduled to open at the Natural History Museum on October 16, where it will remain on display until July 11. The report also notes that “Every year I think the entries to our competition can’t get any stronger… and every year I am proven wrong,” said Kathy Moran, chair of the jury, in a statement.