Highly Commended Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Images Showcase Nature’s Drama and Beauty

The 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year has unveiled its highly commended images. Like every year, the selection is nothing short of breathtaking – but this year, the contest is the strongest yet! The sixty-first edition of WPOTY boasts a record-breaking 60,636 entries.

The images range from a chilling stand-off between a lion and a cobra to an Arctic wolf pack captured mid-curiosity. But whatever they depict, they demonstrate both technical brilliance and deep emotional resonance. These stunning photos are just a taste of the 100 photos that will be on display in the October exhibition at the Natural History Museum, London.

[Related Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Wildlife Photography: Gear, Tips & Ethics]

A Global Celebration of Nature Through the Lens

This year’s entries were judged anonymously by an international panel of photography and conservation experts. They judged each image for its creativity, originality, and technical excellence. As a result, this year’s selection shows not just the spectacle of the natural world, but our fragile relationship with it.

Kathy Moran, Chair of the WPY61 Jury, emphasizes the competition’s impact:

“Selected from a record-breaking over 60,000 images, this preview presents just a small insight into the 100 awe-inspiring, impactful and moving images in store for visitors to our exhibition in October. As an advocate for the power of photography, there is nothing more rewarding or moving than seeing our relationship to the natural world, in all its complexity and splendour, shared on the world’s biggest platform for wildlife photography.”

[Related Reading: Wildlife Photography Tips for Meaningful Images with Melanie Randall]

Exhibition and Global Tour Information

The 61st WPOTY exhibition launches at the Natural History Museum in London on October 17, 2025, and runs until July 12, 2026. Tickets are already on sale via the Natural History Museum website, with prices ranging from £7.75 for children (off-peak) to £18.00 for adults (peak).

The 2025 Awards Ceremony

While these early releases are thrilling, the excitement will build toward the live awards ceremony on Tuesday 14 October 2025. Hosted by beloved wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin, the event will be streamed live on the Museum’s YouTube channel.

The full exhibition will also tour internationally, giving millions around the world the chance to experience the imagery and message of the contest firsthand.

This year’s contest promises to be one of the most moving and inspiring editions for wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and photographers alike.

Explore the full exhibition and get tickets here. Learn more about the contest and how to enter here. And now, I leave you to enjoy the rest of these wonderful images from this year’s contest. I can’t wait to see who wins!

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