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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cThis photograph works on so many levels,\u201d said Kathy Moran, chair of the judging panel. \u201cEmotionally it\u2019s a gut punch, heartbreakingly poignant. Intellectually it\u2019s proof that animals have cognition. This photograph says it all!\u201d<\/p>\n
The winner of the competition\u2019s youth category was British photographer Oscar Whitfield, who lives in Zimbabwe. His image, Labour of Love, captures a dung beetle pushing a ball of dung across dusty ground, highlighting the remarkable effort behind the insect\u2019s everyday work.<\/p>\n
Now in its 62nd year, the competition continues to use photography to deepen our understanding of the natural world, capturing its beauty and complexity and the importance of protecting it. <\/p>\n
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\n ‘The Aftermath’. Winner, Behaviour: mammals\u00a0and overall, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026. Federico Veronesi (Italy) witnesses a powerful moment of an elephant carrying a dead calf, a rare glimpse into complex animal behaviours. Credit: Federico Veronesi, courtesy Wildlife Photographer of the Year\n <\/p>\n
For the first time in its history, both the adult and young overall winners were recognised for black and white images.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year\u2019s winning photographs demonstrate the extraordinary power of wildlife photography to help us see nature differently,\u201d said Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum. \u201cTogether they remind us that every species plays a role in the complex web of life, and why understanding and protecting the natural world has never been more important.\u201d<\/p>\n
An exhibition of the winning images launches on Friday 16 October at the Natural History Museum. More information can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Main image: \u2018On the Outskirts\u2019. Winner, photojournalist story award. Loren Elliott (US) opens a window into the lives of the often-misunderstood coyotes living in the environs of San Francisco, on the west coast of the United States. Credit: Loren Elliott, courtesy Wildlife Photographer of the Year<\/p>\n Winning shots: wildlife photographer of the year 2026<\/p>\n Because the world needs it<\/p>\n Positive News reports on the people and ideas driving progress. We believe that giving attention to solutions helps them spread.<\/p>\n Our journalism is independent and powered by our readers. There are no media moguls or shareholders extracting profits: your contribution funds our work to investigate what\u2019s working, understand why, and bring those stories to a wider audience.<\/p>\n If you value a fuller picture of what\u2019s happening in the world, please become a Positive News supporter today.<\/p>\n