---
title: "Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 Competition Winners Announced"
url: https://newscentral.site/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-2026-competition-winners-announced/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Travel"
published: 2026-10-15T18:30:01.000Z
updated: 2026-10-15T21:25:39.214Z
id: 9cc60ea9-3d6f-4b14-b654-c08cf7b17c4f
source: "Conde Nast Traveler https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-best-wildlife-photographs-of-the-year-are-here-from-microscopic-slime-molds-to-giant-elephants"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-2026-competition-winners-announced/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 Competition Winners Announced

The Natural History Museum has announced the winners of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition, showcasing a diverse range of captivating images from around the world.

A total of 65,403 entries were submitted to the competition from 121 countries and territories, with the top shots now being prepared for exhibition. The annual event marks its 62nd year, with this year's winners set to take centre stage at the Natural History Museum starting October 16, 2026.

For the first time in its history, both the adult and young overall winners have been recognized for their black-and-white photography entries. This shift acknowledges the artistic merit of monochrome images in the context of wildlife photography.

One standout winner is Italian photographer Federico Veronesi, whose image "The Aftermath has taken the top spot. The poignant photograph captures a female elephant carrying her deceased calf in Namibia's Huab River Valley, evoking both emotional and intellectual responses from viewers.

According to Kathy Moran, chair of the jury, This photograph works on so many levels. Emotionally it’s a gut punch, heartbreakingly poignant."

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is set to captivate audiences worldwide with its diverse and breathtaking collection of images. The exhibition will be on display from October 16, 2026, to July 11, 2027, at a location that has yet to be announced. Visitors can purchase tickets online in advance.

The exhibition's global tour schedule is still being finalized, but it promises to reach major cities around the world. This extensive tour will make it possible for millions of people to experience the stunning photography on display.

One of the standout images from this year's competition captures a poignant moment in the life of an elephant. The photograph shows the massive animal carrying its dead calf, offering a rare glimpse into the complex social behaviors of these majestic creatures.

The exhibition also features several photographs that highlight the intricate details of the natural world. For example, one image reveals the arduous exertion of a dung beetle pushing its precious cargo across the ground.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has announced its winning images, showcasing the incredible diversity of life on our planet. One of the standout shots features Agorastos Papatsanis' use of ultraviolet light to reveal the glowing yellow stems of bonnet mushrooms growing from a decaying log in a remarkable display of fungal biology.

In another breathtaking image, Alex Lindbloom captures a whale shark investigating the catch of a 'bagan', or mobile net-fishing platform, in the dark waters off Papua. The shark's gentle curiosity is on full display as it swims alongside the fishing gear. This shot highlights both the majesty and vulnerability of these marine giants.

In contrast to the ocean's depths, Sitaram Raul's image finds a scorpion burrowing into one of the shifting dunes of the Thar Desert in India. The arid landscape provides a striking backdrop for this tiny creature's determined efforts to make its way through the sand. This shot showcases the incredible adaptability of life on Earth.

The winning images collectively highlight the beauty and resilience of our planet's diverse inhabitants, from the microscopic slime molds to the giant elephants featured in James Lewin's photograph of a young bull elephant spraying a group of zebra as they congregate in the Kenyan Chyulu Hills.

---
Source: [Conde Nast Traveler](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-best-wildlife-photographs-of-the-year-are-here-from-microscopic-slime-molds-to-giant-elephants)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-2026-competition-winners-announced/