Photo: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 shows a ‘planet under pressure’
Photo: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The entries for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 have been unveiled, and the selection is astonishing. Photographs of cheetahs in raging rivers and a fox searching for its prey are amongst the incredible range of highly commended images that have been released in anticipation of an exhibit at Natural History Museum in London on 15 October 2021.
The competition, produced by the museum, received a record-breaking number of photographs from professional and amateur photographers from over 95 countries worldwide.
“This year’s inspiring exhibition will move and empower audiences to advocate for the natural world,” said Dr. Doug Gurr, the Director of the Museum in a statement.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 entries are a firm reminder of the vulnerability of our planet and the variety of its nature. This year’s competition winners will be announced on October 12, 2021, during a “not-to-be-missed” virtual awards show.
“Apollo Landing” by Emelin Dupieux, France
Highly commended, 11-14 Years category
Photo: Emelin Dupieux/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Emelin Dupieux’s image shows an Apollo butterfly as its sets down on an oxeye daisy.
“Beautiful Bloodsucker” by Gil Wizen, Israel/Canada
Highly commended, Behaviour — Invertebrates category
Photo: Gil Wizen/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Gil Wizen displays a female ornamented mosquito in action.
“Storm Fox” by Johnny Armstrong, US
Highly commended, Animal Portraits category
Photo: Jonny Armstrong/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A fox searching in the shallows for salmon carcasses.
“Raw Moment” by Laura Jackson, UK
Highly commended, Animal Portraits category
Photo: Lara Jackson/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Laura Jackson captures an image of a young lioness with bright red blood dripping from her muzzle.
“The Great Swim” by Buddhilini de Soyza, Sri Lanka/Australia
Highly commended, Behaviour — Mammals category
Photo: Buddhilini de Soyza/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Buddhilini de Soyza captures male cheetahs swimming through raging waters.
“Toxic Design” by Gheorghe Popa, Romania
Highly commended, Natural Artistry category
Photo: Rakesh Pulapa/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Gheorghe Popa shot this eye-catching photo of a small river in the Geamana Valley, within Romania’s Apuseni Mountains.
“Mushroom Magic” by Juergen Freund, Germany/Australia
Highly commended, Plants and Fungi category
Photo: Juergen Freund/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A ghost fungus on a dead tree after a monsoon rain.
“Lockdown Chicks” by Gagana Mendis Wickramasinghe, Sri Lanka
Highly commended, 10 years and under category
Photo: Gagana Mendis Wickramasinghe/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Gagana Mendis Wickramasinghe’s photograph shows a father rose-ringed parakeet feeding his chicks.
“Net Loss” by Audun Rikardsen, Norway
Highly commended, Oceans — The Bigger Picture category
Photo: Audun Rikardsen/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Audun Rikardsen catches the shocking image of a slick of dead and dying herrings covering the surface of the sea off the coast of Norway.
“Deep Feelers” by Laurent Ballesta, France
Highly commended, Underwater category
Photo: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Laurent Ballesta came across a community of narwhal shrimp in the deep water off the French Mediterranean coast.
“Natural Magnetism” by Jaime Culebras, Spain
Highly commended, Urban Wildlife
Photo: Jaime Culebras/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A tarantula hawk wasp head to head with a tarantula in Quito, Ecuador.
“Up for Grabs” by Jack Zhi, US
Highly commended, Behaviour — Birds category
Photo: Jack Zhi/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Two white-tailed kites fighting over a mouse in mid-air.
“Lynx on the Threshold” by Sergio Marijuán, Spain
Highly commended, Urban Wildlife category
Photo: Sergio Marijuán/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A young Iberian lynx stopping in front of a doorway of the abandoned hayloft.
“The nurturing wetland” by Rakesh Pulapa, India
Highly commended, Wetlands — The Bigger Picture category
Photo: Rakesh Pulapa/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Houses on the edge of Kakinada city, buffered from the sea by the remains of a mangrove swamp.
“A Caring Hand” by Douglas Gimesy, Australia
Highly commended, Photojournalism category
Photo: Douglas Gimesy/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Gimesy captured the vulnerability of a nursing orphaned bat.
“The Gripping End” by Wei Fu, Thailand
Highly commended, Behaviour — Amphibians and Reptiles category
Photo: Wei Fu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A red-spotted tokay gecko clamped to the head of a golden tree snake. 
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