Science and Technology

The best nature photographs of the year

The five award-winning images of Wildlife Photographer of the Year capture the strength and fragility of the wild world

Xavier Bertral
Upd. 17
5 images
"A trip in November 2024 took me to Spain, where I was able to photograph the Iberian lynx. With a bit of luck, I captured a young specimen while it was playing after having hunted a rat, repeatedly tossing it into the air in a scene that combined predatory instinct and almost playful behavior." This image, by Austrian photographer Josef Stefan, has been recognized at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and highlights the progressive recovery of an emblematic species that is still in a vulnerable situation.Josef Stefan / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

BarcelonaEach edition of Wildlife Photographer of the Year confirms why it is a global benchmark in nature photography. The competition brings together the best perspectives on the world and the complexity and beauty of wildlife, often little accessible to our eyes.

This gallery features the five award-winning photographs that stand out among thousands of entries submitted this year. They are scenes of great visual power that document behaviors, habitats, and decisive moments, while also focusing on the conservation of endangered species.

Among them all, the image awarded with the highest recognition stands out: an Iberian lynx photographed in Spain, the protagonist of a scene that reflects both its instinctive nature and the delicate balance in which its survival lies.

1 de 5Christopher Paetkau / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Hudson Bay, Manitoba
2 de 5Alexandre Brisson / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Lesser Flamingos in Walvis Bay
3 de 5Will Nicholls / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Jasper National Park
4 de 5Kohei Nagira / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Sika deer with rival's head attached to antlers
5 de 5Josef Stefan / WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAFER OF THE YEAR
This is how the winning photograph was taken