The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, held by the Natural History Museum, is a celebration of the world’s biodiversity. Now in its 59th year, the competition attracted 49,957 entries from 95 countries, from amateur and professional photographers of all ages. An exhibition showcasing 100 entries will open at the Natural History Museum on Friday and run until June 2024.

Winner, 15-17 years: In Israel barn owls are encouraged to nest near farmland by the provision of nesting boxes because they prey on pests like rodents

Winner, 15-17 years: In Israel barn owls are encouraged to nest near farmland by the provision of nesting boxes because they prey on pests like rodents

CARMEL BECHLER

Winner, Natural Artistry: captured from a boat, a pair of gannets nestle on a ledge in front of guano-spattered cliffs in Noss national nature reserve, Shetland

Winner, Natural Artistry: captured from a boat, a pair of gannets nestle on a ledge in front of guano-spattered cliffs in Noss national nature reserve, Shetland

RACHEL BIGSBY

Winner, Underwater: a hippopotamus with two of her calves under the crystal-clear water of a shallow lake in iSimangaliso wetland park, South Africa

Winner, Underwater: a hippopotamus with two of her calves under the crystal-clear water of a shallow lake in iSimangaliso wetland park, South Africa

MIKE KOROSTELEV

Winner, Photojournalist Story Award: contestants in the West Texas Big Bobcat Contest wait to have their kills weighed. Viewed as a pest in Texas, the bobcat, also known as red lynx, is not protected under any laws and can be killed at any time by any means

Winner, Photojournalist Story Award: contestants in the West Texas Big Bobcat Contest wait to have their kills weighed. Viewed as a pest in Texas, the bobcat, also known as red lynx, is not protected under any laws and can be killed at any time by any means

KARINE AIGNER

Winner, Oceans — The Bigger Picture: a beached orca is photographed in its final moments in Cadzand-Bad, the Netherlands, after attempts to rescue it failed. An examination of the whale after death showed it was malnourished and sick

Winner, Oceans — The Bigger Picture: a beached orca is photographed in its final moments in Cadzand-Bad, the Netherlands, after attempts to rescue it failed. An examination of the whale after death showed it was malnourished and sick

LENNART VERHEUVEL

Winner, Rising Star Portfolio Award: an ibex almost blends into the crisp white Alpine background in the bitter cold of Vercors regional nature park, France

Winner, Rising Star Portfolio Award: an ibex almost blends into the crisp white Alpine background in the bitter cold of Vercors regional nature park, France

LUCA MELCARNE

Winner, Photojournalism: huge swathes of greenery are cleared in Mexico to make way for a cross-country railway line connecting tourist destinations, bringing economic benefits but threatening devastating ecological consequences

Winner, Photojournalism: huge swathes of greenery are cleared in Mexico to make way for a cross-country railway line connecting tourist destinations, bringing economic benefits but threatening devastating ecological consequences

FERNANDO CONSTANTINO MARTÝNEZ BELMAR

Winner, Animals in their Environment: two male Nubian ibex fight for dominance on a clifftop in the Zin desert, Israel, during mating season. Both survived the clash without serious injury

Winner, Animals in their Environment: two male Nubian ibex fight for dominance on a clifftop in the Zin desert, Israel, during mating season. Both survived the clash without serious injury

AMIT ESHEL

Winner, Plants and Fungi: a parasol mushroom releases its spores in the forest on a rainy day on Mount Olympus, Greece. The use of a flash allows the tiny spores to be seen

Winner, Plants and Fungi: a parasol mushroom releases its spores in the forest on a rainy day on Mount Olympus, Greece. The use of a flash allows the tiny spores to be seen

AGORASTOS PAPATSANIS

Winner, Behaviour — Invertebrates: fireflies light up the forest in Anamalai tiger reserve, Tamil Nadu, India, with a display that was captured using 50 exposures of 19 seconds each

Winner, Behaviour — Invertebrates: fireflies light up the forest in Anamalai tiger reserve, Tamil Nadu, India, with a display that was captured using 50 exposures of 19 seconds each

SRIRAM MURALI

Winner, Behaviour — Mammals: four orcas prepare to “wave wash” a Weddell seal off the ice to secure a meal. They will work together to create waves that flip the seal into the water

Winner, Behaviour — Mammals: four orcas prepare to “wave wash” a Weddell seal off the ice to secure a meal. They will work together to create waves that flip the seal into the water

BERTIE GREGORY

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