See The 25 Stunning Animal Pictures From Wildlife Photographer Of The Year's People's Choice Award Nominees
The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest is back with another round of striking images, and this year’s People’s Choice nominees are especially hard to ignore.
From dramatic animal encounters to quiet moments in the wild, the 25 shortlisted photos come from a competition that drew 50,000 entries from 95 countries. The public now gets to help decide which image stands out most, while the winning work and the full exhibition continue to draw attention in London.
Before the vote closes, here are the 25 stunning entries making the case for the People’s Choice award.
1. Living Together

2. The Jump

3. Jaguar Of Ashes

4. Lynx Cub Licking
Antonio Liebana Navarro captured a photo of the endangered Iberian lynx. He is part of the efforts to preserve these animals, which seem to be recovering in small areas of Spain and Portugal.

5.
Marco Gaiotti observed a small Arctic fox calling for its companion nearby. Normally, it's hard to take pictures of these creatures.
Fortunately, this animal was so relaxed that it allowed him to get close, focus on it, and snap a photo with perfectly glowing light as the background.

6. Hitching A Ride

7. Stay Close

8. Barracudas

9. Dancing In The Snow
Qiang Guo took a photo of a couple of male pheasants incessantly trading places on the trunk seen here. They moved as if dancing silently in the snow.

10. The Ice Bear Cometh…

This is the same kind of close-up wonder as the 2026 British Wildlife Photography Awards, capturing backyard-to-backcountry wildlife.
11. Hope In A Burned Plantation

12. Peek A Boo

13. Monkey Cuddle

14. Shelter From The Rain
Ashleigh McCord's photo was taken during her visit to Maasai Mara, Kenya.
The photographer initially took photos of one lion. A light sprinkle began, and another lion quickly approached the first, seemingly greeting its companion.
The rain eventually turned into a heavy downpour. One lion positioned itself in such a way that it sheltered the other.

15. Working Together

16. Meerkats Put On A Pose

17. Bonds Of Love
Peter Delaney observed an elephant herd and noticed that the group was pushing the young ones toward the center for protection.
There is something magical and beautiful when you observe elephants – it touches your soul and pulls at your heartstrings.

18. Life In Black And White

19. All Together

20. Dolphin Hug

21. The Eagle And The Bear

22. The Future In Her Hands

23. Blackbird Backyard

24. Building An Egg Case

25. Lake Of Ice

Millions of people around the world see the pictures presented in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
The 25 entries selected by the juries for the title of People's Choice Award are now exhibited at the Natural History Museum in London. After announcing the winning entry, it will be showcased until the exhibition ends on June 6 next year.
Want more jaw-dropping wildlife shots, check out the NBP International Awards 2024 winners, including distinguished nature photography.