‘Ice Bed’ by Nima Sarikhani (Image credit: Nima Sarikhani/Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

A striking image of a polar bear sleeping on an iceberg has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award. Captured by amateur British photographer Nima Sarikhani, the dreamy image shows a young polar bear drifting off to sleep on a bed carved into ice.

“Sarikhani’s breathtaking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet,” said Natural History Museum director Dr Douglas Gurr.

“His thought-provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss.”

Sarikhani was able to capture the polar bear in slumber after three days of searching through thick fog off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. He was on an expedition vessel that changed course after three days to reach a location where there was still ice.

There, Sarikhani spotted two polar bears. “Just before midnight, the young male clambered onto a small iceberg and, using his strong paws, clawed away at it to carve out a bed for himself,” the Natural History Museum, which organises the photography competition, said in a press release.

“I am so honoured to have won this year’s People’s Choice award for WPY, the most prestigious wildlife photography competition. This photograph has stirred strong emotions in many of those who have seen it. Whilst climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope that this photograph also inspires hope; there is still time to fix the mess we have caused,” Sarikhani said.

Besides the sleepy polar bear, four other images were “highly commended”.

The Happy Turtle, by Tzahi Finkelstein

Image credit: Tzahi Finkelstein/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

“A Balkan pond turtle shares a moment of peaceful coexistence with a northern banded groundling dragonfly in Israel’s Jezreel Valley.”

Aurora Jellies, by Audun Rikardsen

Image credit: Audun Rikardsen/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

“Moon jellyfish swarm in the cool autumnal waters of a fjord outside Tromsø in northern Norway illuminated by the aurora borealis.”

Starling Murmuration, by Daniel Dencescu

Image credit: Daniel Dencescu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

“Daniel spent hours following the starlings around the city and suburbs of Rome. Finally, on this cloudless winter’s day, the flock didn’t disappoint, swirling into the shape of a giant bird.”

Shared Parenting, by Mark Boyd

Image credit: Mark Boyd/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

“Early in the morning, Mark watched as these lionesses groomed one of the pride’s five cubs in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.”