Spectacular Winning Images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025

Winner – Wildlife Photographer of the Year: “Ghost Town Visitor” by Wim van den Heever

Nature enthusiasts and photography fans eagerly anticipate the annual reveal of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners, and the 2025 collection from London’s Natural History Museum doesn’t disappoint.

Selected from over 60,000 entries across 113 countries, these stunning images showcase the raw emotion and unpredictable beauty of the natural world. Spanning 19 categories, the photographs go beyond aesthetics to tell powerful stories of survival, healing, and the deep ties between humans and nature. From a hyena reclaiming a ghost town to a rescued baby anteater, each frame reminds us we’re part of Earth’s wild rhythm. The winners, along with the highly commended entries, highlight the soul behind the lens and the urgent need to protect our planet’s rich biodiversity.

More: The Natural History Museum, Instagram

Winner – Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 15 – 17 Years: “After the Destruction” by Andrea Dominizi

Winner – Impact Award: “Orphan of the Road” by Fernando Faciole

Winner – Animals in their Environment: “Like an Eel out of Water” by Shane Gross

Winner – Behaviour, Mammals: “Cat Amongst the Flamingos” by Dennis Stogsdill

Winner – Animal Portraits: “Shadow Hunter” by Philipp Egger

Winner – Behaviour, Amphibians and Reptiles: “Frolicking Frogs” by Quentin Martinez, France

Winner – Behaviour, Birds: “Synchronised Fishing” by Qingrong Yang

Winner – Behaviour, Invertebrates: “Mad Hatterpillar” by Georgina Steytler

Winner – Oceans, The Bigger Picture: “The Feast” by Audun Rikardsen

Winner – 10 Years and Under: “The Weaver’s Lair” by Jamie Smart

Winner – 11–14 Years: “Alpine Dawn” by Lubin Godin

Winner – Underwater: “Survival Purse” by Ralph Pace

Winner – Natural Artistry: “Caught in the Headlights” by Simone Baumeister

Winner – Plants and Fungi: “Deadly Allure” by Chien Lee

Winner – Wetlands, The Bigger Picture: “Vanishing Pond” by Sebastian Frölich

Winner – Photojournalism: “How to Save a Species” by Jon A Juárez

Winner – Photojournalist Story Award: “Seething Pit” by Javier Aznar González de Rueda

Winner – Rising Star Award: “Sole Survivor” by Luca Lorenz, Germany

Winner – Portfolio Award for Visions of the North: “Taiga Tapestry” by Alexey Kharitonov