A dazzling display of flamingos against a backdrop of power lines, a cunning crab climbing onto a jellyfish, and a young sloth safely cradled by its mother are among the images shortlisted for the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.
The Natural History Museum worked with an international panel of experts in photography, wildlife, conservation and science to select the 24 images from a total of 60,636 entries submitted from 113 countries.
Organizers announced in a statement Wednesday that the overall winner will be chosen by public vote.
“Whether showcasing fascinating behavior or telling powerful stories, this year’s selection of images is truly exceptional,” said Natural History Museum Director Douglas Gurr.
This year’s gallery includes not only a cheeky possum and a young kestrel preparing for its first flight, but also images that ask bigger questions about humans’ impact on the planet.
A photographer traveled to Uganda and captured striking images of piles of traps used to trap wild animals and confiscated by the country’s rangers.
In another photo, a pangolin orphaned by poachers is comforted with a blanket at a conservation center in South Africa.
Voting is now open online and at the Natural History Museum. The winner and four runners-up will be announced on March 25th.
Editor’s note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series dedicated to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet and their solutions. Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to promote awareness and education on key sustainability issues and inspire positive action.
