The winners of the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition have been announced, showcasing some of the most striking images of the natural world. 

Organised by London's Natural History Museum, this year's competition attracted a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories. The winning photographs highlight everything from wildlife behaviour and conservation challenges to species and ecosystems that often go unnoticed. 

The overall winner, The Aftermath by Italian photographer Federico Veronesi, captures a female elephant carrying a dead calf in Namibia’s Huab River Valley, offering a glimpse into the behaviour of these highly intelligent, family-oriented giants. The Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award went to Oscar Whitfield for Labour of Love, which shows a dung beetle facing everyday challenges as it pushes its heavy load up a sandy hill at the Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe.

Photography has long played an important role in helping people understand and connect with the natural world, and this competition demonstrates how a single image can tell a powerful story. 

The winning images will be on display at London's Natural History Museum from 16 October 2026 until 11 July 2027. Otherwise, the full collection can be viewed in the BBC's coverage.