The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition has unveiled its winning images, showcasing striking moments from the natural world. Organized by London’s Natural History Museum, the 62nd edition of the contest drew a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories, reflecting a broad international interest in wildlife photography.

The overall prize was awarded to Italian photographer Federico Veronesi for his black-and-white image titled "The Aftermath." The photograph depicts a female elephant in Namibia’s Huab River Valley carrying her deceased calf, offering a poignant and rare insight into elephant behavior and how these animals respond to death within their social groups.

The competition’s finalists also included photos highlighting diverse ecosystems and animal behaviors, ranging from underwater scenes to urban wildlife. Notable entries featured the spawning activities of Abbott’s moray eels, illustrating complex marine life, while images of urban animals provided examples of adaptation in human-dominated landscapes. In addition to mammals and fish, the winning collection encompassed a wide array of organisms such as birds, amphibians, insects, plants, and fungi, underscoring the vast biodiversity of life on Earth.

The exhibition of winning photographs will be on display at the Natural History Museum in London starting today and will remain open to the public until July 11, 2027. Afterward, the collection is scheduled to tour other venues across the United Kingdom and internationally.

By bringing these captivating moments from nature to a wider audience, the competition seeks to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of wildlife, encouraging conservation efforts worldwide.