Winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026

© James Lewin / Wildlife Photographer of the Year The Meeting Place .

Winner, Animals in Their Environment.

James Lewin watched a young bull elephant spray a group of zebra as they congregated in the Kenyan Chyulu Hills.

Although there was no shortage of subjects and action around this waterhole, James had to deal with the harsh, unforgiving light.

He chose to soften the light using a camera converted to infrared, creating this dreamlike scene. © Anton Sorokin / Wildlife Photographer of the Year Protective Pose .

Winner, Behavior: Amphibians and Reptiles.

Anton Sorokin found a California newt laying its eggs as it clasped vegetation that already held another newt’s egg clutch. © Alex Visbal / Wildlife Photographer of the Year The Great Divide .

Winner, Wetlands: The Bigger Picture.

Alex Visbal documented how a single engineered line can reshape an entire wetland in Utah’s Great Salt Lake.

The distinctive pink color on the left is caused by bright-pink microbes that thrive in extremely saline water, which happens when an area is cut off from a supply of fresh water.

The lake’s ecology is in sharp decline because of industrial use, upstream diversions, and climate change.

Since this image was taken, the State of Utah has brought the area under conservation management. © Loren Elliott / Wildlife Photographer of the Year On the Outskirts .

Winner, Photojournalist Story Award.

A coyote pads along a trail in Bernal Heights Park, overlooking the city and bay of San Francisco.