From a black bear taking a dip in a Southern California pool to leopards chasing squirrels up trees, the world’s most prestigious nature photography competition is back.This is the first look at a selection of shortlisted wildlife snaps from this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.Among the striking entries is a split-second shot by photographer Jens Cullmann, who got right down to eye level with an aggressive African bullfrog as it lunged - and completely missed - a passing African baboon butterfly.That is just one of 100 shortlisted images from over 65,000 entries, alongside Ernest Porter's intimate capture of an oxpecker cleaning its bill against a rhino’s thick hide and the fast-paced action of a young leopard pursuing a nimble squirrel.The Natural History Museum has released this breathtaking sneak peek ahead of the winning images being revealed on 13 October 2026. “Every year I think the entries to our competition can’t get any stronger and every year I am proven wrong!” said Chair of the Jury Kathy Moran.She added: “Selected from a record-breaking 65,403 images, this preview presents just a small insight into the 100 incredible images in store for visitors to our exhibition in October. These images pave the way for a deepened appreciation and commitment to our natural world."Split-Second Escape - Highly Commended, BehaviourLifted to the Surface - Highly Commended, Behaviour: MammalsEye of the Storm - Highly Commended, Animals in their EnvironmentUp a Tree without a Squirrel - Highly Commended, Behaviour: MammalsMutual Friends - Highly Commended, Behaviour: BirdsBiting Back - Highly Commended, Animal PortraitsUrban Wanderer - Highly Commended, 11-14 YearsOcean Protector - Highly Commended, Wetlands: The Bigger PictureWings of Darkness - Highly Commended, Animal PortraitsHidden Dragon - Highly Commended, Behaviour: InvertebratesCalm Amid the Storm - Highly Commended, OceansThe Art of Flying - Highly Commended, 15–17 YearsThe Show Goes On - Highly Commended, PhotojournalismFlock of Gold - Highly Commended, Behaviour: Birds
Wildlife Photographer of the Year entries first look - black bears to bullfrogs
We've been given a sneak peek of some of the 100 shortlisted images that have been selected from 65,000 entries, with the winner announced in October.
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