The Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest has unveiled 24 breathtaking finalists from over 60,000 submissions across 113 countries and territories. These images capture both the beauty and harsh realities of nature, from tender moments between animals to heartbreaking scenes of survival. The public can now vote for their favorite in the Nuveen People's Choice Award.

The finalists showcase remarkable wildlife moments that highlight the delicate balance of ecosystems. A touching image shows a sarus crane parent cleaning its week-old chick with gentle beak-to-beak contact, while another captures a rare pseudo-melanistic tiger in India's Similipal Tiger Reserve. These photographs demonstrate the power of wildlife photography to connect humans with nature's wonders.

Some images reveal nature's cruel realities. One photograph documents the final moments of a polar bear cub whose mother died from internal injuries after being forced away from human settlements. Another shows a sika deer that survived winter with its locked antlers still attached to a rival's head. These powerful images remind viewers of the challenges wildlife faces in an increasingly human-dominated world.

Voting for the People's Choice Award closes March 18, with winners announced alongside other category winners. The Natural History Museum in London will display the winning photographs in its flagship exhibition. This year's selection proves once again why wildlife photography remains essential for conservation awareness and appreciation of Earth's biodiversity.

Quick Fact: Photographers from 113 countries submitted over 60,000 images for the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest.