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
