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“Playing by necessity.”
Extremely commended, Underwater. In the shallow waters of the Archipiélago de Espíritu Santo National Park, Mexico, a young California sea lion(Zalophus californianus) has fun with a plume. For young sea lions, a spirited nature is a survival method. The juveniles do not yet have the strength and endurance of grownups and are not able to accompany them on deep dives or multi-day searching explorations. Remaining near to the nest, young sea lions sharpen the abilities they will require later on in life. Mexico’s sea lions are threatened by fishing equipment such as wandering ghost webs, in addition to by the effects of environment modification. This makes it even more crucial for young animals to mature healthy and maturate on this safeguarded island group, which has actually been a UNESCO World Heritage Site given that 2005.
Credit: Henley Spiers– United Kingdom/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
For 13 years, professional photographer Imre Potyó has actually ventured into restricted-access mine tunnels in the Börzsöny Mountains of Hungary to catch pictures of hibernating lower horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros. In spite of their deep rest, the bats periodically wake to hunt bugs that get in the dark caverns.
“In doing so, the bat leaves droppings that slowly collect into a constant dark layer,” Potyó discusses. “And this is where the genuine marvel starts: in the beam of a torch, a whitish finish can be seen on the guano– a little pin mould flourishing in this uncommon environment. Utilizing a macro lens, I recorded the mould in the foreground with the hibernating bats noticeable in the background. The photo– a long direct exposure including a focus shift– was taken throughout a regulated bat count and without interrupting the animals.”
That effort settled. Potyó’s image, entitled “Hidden Worlds,” (seen listed below) took home leading honors at the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 awards
Total winner
I have actually been photographing hibernating bats for 13 years in restricted-access mine tunnels in the Börzsöny Mountains of Hungary, and yet this specific structure was unique for me. An essential quality of the lower horseshoe bat(Rhinolophus hipposiderosis that, throughout hibernating it periodically wakes and leaves its roost to hunt flying bugs. In doing so, the bat leaves droppings that slowly build up into a constant dark layer. And this is where the genuine marvel starts: in the beam of a torch, a whitish finish can be seen on the guano– a little pin mould growing in this uncommon environment. Utilizing a macro lens, I recorded the mould in the foreground with the hibernating bats noticeable in the background. The picture– a long direct exposure integrating a focus shift– was taken throughout a regulated bat count and without interrupting the animals.
Credit: Imre Potyó– Hungary/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
The European Wildlife Photographer of the Year (EWPYcompetitors is now in its 26th year. Amateur and expert photographers in 46 nations sent more than 26,000 images, from which 107 were chosen as winners throughout 9 classifications and 2 unique classifications.
“All the professional photographers participating in this competitors share a typical outlook: they move through the world with open eyes and are dedicated to an unified coexistence of individuals and nature,” Sabine Riewenherm, President of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), stated in a declaration. Through their work, they accentuate the charm of our world, however likewise to its vulnerability. I am deeply grateful to these professional photographers for their exceptional contribution, as they play a crucial function in raising awareness for nature and its defense.”
Winner, Humans and Nature
Taking a trip to Thailand, my hope was to see a Malayan sun bear(Helarctos malayanusin the wild. I got my dream– though not rather the method I had actually envisioned. A bear had actually required to stopping by the visitor centre at Kaeng Krachan National Park, roaming fearlessly behind the rangers’kitchen area looking for food scraps. On this day, it climbed up into the waste incinerator and dropped off to sleep within. And this in spite of having some 3,000 square kilometres of environment at its disposal within the park– its behaviour, simply put, had absolutely nothing to do with environment loss or an abject environment. What struck me was the contrast in between this stunning animal and among humankind’s uglier creations. The paradox was total when I saw the producer’s label: “Evolution”.
Credit: Petr Bambousek– Czech Republic/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Extremely commended, Mammals
I was on my method home from school when, simply a couple of minutes from my home, I all of a sudden came face to face with a young red fox(Vulpes vulpes. We were both captured off guard and stood stationary for a minute. I then rushed home to bring my electronic camera. 4 fox cubs and their mom had actually moved into a deserted barn right in the middle of my town. 2 of the cubs poked their go out of the barn door and enjoyed me oddly. A couple of days later on, I discovered that the barn’s owner felt interrupted by their existence. He tossed stones at them and ultimately chased them away. The foxes carried on, searching for a much safer location. Minutes like these advise me how crucial it is to keep an eye out for the wild animals that share our world with us. These animals are not burglars– they are our neighbours, looking for security simply as we do.
Credit: Marc Siegle– Switzerland/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Extremely commended, Mammals
For several years, I had actually been preparing to photo the most typical searching strategy of polar bears (Ursus maritimusfrom a seal’s viewpoint. In the thick pack ice at 83 ° N, I drilled a hole beside a seal’s breathing hole, installed my video camera underneath it, and placed a movement sensing unit on the ice above. 8 hours later on, I identified a polar bear in the range heading directly for the breathing hole. Already, a thin layer of ice had actually formed on the water. The bear pressed its head through the ice to see what was going on listed below and looked directly into the cam. The bear then set and slept for 9 hours, leaving me not able to obtain my cam. When the animal lastly proceeded, I hurried over and was over enjoyed find that I had actually caught my dream picture of a polar bear.
Credit: Audun Rikardsen– Norway/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 Audun Rikardsen
Runner-up, Underwater World
Marine iguanas(Amblyrhynchus cristatusare endemic to the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador. They are usually seen indulging in the sun, their dark bodies completely camouflaged versus the black lava rocks. As ectothermic reptiles, they depend on external heat to control their body temperature level. This is especially crucial as they dive into the cold waters surrounding the island chain to forage, mostly on marine algae. I followed this specific into the water and seen with fascination as it moved itself quickly and actively through the effective browse with the help of its muscular tail. While I was tossed about by the waves, the marine iguana sticks securely to a rock with its sharp claws and started systematically grazing on algae. In spite of its dragon-like look, the marine iguana is extremely placid: a herbivore that reveals no hostility, even when approached carefully on land or undersea.
Credit: Henley Spiers– United Kingdom/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 HENLEY SPIERS
Extremely commended, Mammals
Every year in between April and May, large quantities of water from Angola flood the floodplains of the Chobe River in Botswana, producing perfect conditions for many water lilies to grow. In spring 2023, a mix of early flooding and uncommonly high water levels led to a genuinely magnificent display screen of white and purple flowers. I invested every day out on a boat, wanting to photo wildlife eating the nutrient-rich drifting plants. One afternoon, in best light, whatever came together: an African elephant (Loxodonta africanawalked leisurely through the shallow water, plucking flower after flower. Lying flat in the boat, I handled to record this special scene.
Credit: William Steel– United Kingdom/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 William Steel Photography
Extremely commended, Mammals
End of an efficiency in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska: the scene is over, and the grizzly bear(Ursus arctos horribilishas actually had its minute in the spotlight. The animal leaves the phase without a bow, without a backwards look. Fog hangs like a streaming drape, and the bokeh shines like fading phase lights. A gull stays behind, enjoying the primary star’s exit and maybe questioning what it ought to do next. The image was intentionally made up with the lead characters placed in the upper part of the frame to produce the impression of a grand phase.
Credit: Preeti John, GDT– United Arab Emirates/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 Making up the Wild
Extremely commended, Humans & Nature
For several years I photographed a set of golden eagles(Aquila chrysaetossurviving on a mountain above the little seaside town in northern Norway I call home. One early morning, working from home, I lost power for about 5 minutes. While strolling the pet dogs a couple of hours later on, I found why. Among the eagles I had actually viewed and photographed from my conceal for many years had actually struck the power lines behind my home– the present had actually burned tidy through its body. Big raptors, with their huge wingspan, can bridge 2 power lines simultaneously and be eliminated quickly. Unfortunately, this risk does not simply exist here in Norway– it impacts big birds throughout the world.
Credit: Audun Rikardsen– Norway/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 Audun Rikardsen
Runner-up, Humans and Nature
Throughout the breeding season, capercaillie(Tetrao urogallusoften lose their wariness of individuals, seeing them rather as competitors. That is precisely what occurred at a ski resort near my home, where a capercaillie used up position on the ski slope every day throughout the lekking season to safeguard his spot. The bird quickly ended up being something of a regional star, even making the news, and crowds came daily to enjoy and movie him. One day, a ski race was held– and the bird picked the middle of the course to show. Not the most safe area. A number of individuals actioned in, carefully guiding him behind the security fence and out of damage’s method. A year later on, the very same bird was unintentionally eliminated by a skier who overlooked it. Some individuals care. Others merely do not.
Credit: Lukas Schaefer– Italy/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 luki schaefer
Extremely applauded, Rewilding Europe
By the early twentieth century, the European bison(Bison bonasus)had actually been stated extinct in the wild throughout Europe. Reintroduction has actually because restored the population of the continent’s biggest land mammal to more than 7,200 animals. Taking a trip with good friends last fall to Białowieża National Park, in eastern Poland on the Belarusian border, we came across both wolves and European bison– in the latter case, 2 bulls grazing in a meadow on the edge of a town. As effective as they are, the animals accepted our existence without issue, calming down to rest undisturbed. That type of coexistence is possible here due to the fact that the bison are provided space to wander, through forests and meadows alike. Technique these primeval-looking animals with regard, and you can feel the calm they bring with them.
Credit: Fabian Thorand, GDT– Germany/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Extremely applauded, Plants and Fungi
In northern Poland, in the location around Gdańsk where I live, remarkable types of animals and plants are unusual. Many topics in the area have actually been photographed numerous times. Therefore, it needs a bargain of creativity to take an uncommon photo. Throughout the years, I have actually made numerous efforts to record the large-flowered hemp-nettle (Galeopsis speciosain an intriguing method. The majority of the time, the outcomes have actually been frustrating, however from time to time, the effort settles …
Credit: Marek Mierzejewski– Poland/ European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
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