The 25 Shortlisted People’s Choice Photos of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023

2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice

The Natural History Museum in London has revealed its Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award shortlist, and voting is now open.

The 25 shortlisted images showcase diverse wildlife worldwide, ranging from more traditional photos, like beautiful action shots and serene portraits, to startling reflections of how pollution and human activity harm animals.

Despite the highly varied aesthetics and narrative techniques, a common thread throughout each finalist is that they are fantastic photographs.

The 25 images below were selected in addition to the top 100 images for this year’s contest and are separate from the competition’s overall juried winners, which were selected early last month.

2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Tender Touch by Andy Parkinson, UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Aurora Jellies by Audum Rikardsen, Norway | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
A Rare Sight by Axel Gomille, Germany | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Tough Negotiation by Ayala Fishaimer, Israel | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Bull in a Garbage Dump by Brent Stirton, South Africa | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Fashion Victims by Britta Jaschinski, Germany/UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Duckling Huddle by Charles Davis, Australia | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Rubbish Drinks by Claire Waring, UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Starling Murmuration by Daniel Dencescu, Germany/Romania | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Snowshoes by Deena Sveinsson, USA | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Homecoming by Dvir Barkay, USA/Israel | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Incoming Cuckoo Wasp by Frank Deschandol, France | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Curiosity by Gerald Hinde, South Africa | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Swallow Over Meadow by Hermann Hirsch/Jan Lessman, Germany | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Looking at Me, Looking at You by John E. Marriott, Canada | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Missed Sip of Milk by Karim Iliya, USA/Lebanon | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
The Grassland Geladas by Marco Gaiotti, Italy | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Autumn Glow by Uge Fuertes Sanz, Spain | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
The Happy Turtle by Tzahi Finkelstein, Israel | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Hope by Roberto García-Roa, Spain | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Ice Bed by Nima Sarikhani, UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Neighborhood Dispute by Ofer Levy, Australia | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Troublemaker by Stefan Christmann, Germany | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Opportunity Fox by Matt Maran, UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice
Shared Parenting by Mark Boyd, Kenya | Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition draws more than 50,000 entries every year, and the judging panel can only select 100 finalists. The People’s Choice Award enables the contest to showcase an additional 25 memorable photos and include viewers to participate.

“Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s People’s Choice Award always offers an astounding selection of images, and this year is no different,” says Dr. Douglas Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum. “We invite the public to join the jury and vote for their favorite; whether breathtaking beauty or a powerful story, it’s sure to be a difficult decision!”

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is now open, and people can make their picks until January 31, 2024. The winner will be announced shortly after that, on February 7. All 25 shortlisted photos are part of the ongoing Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit at the Natural History Museum in London. Information on voting and the exhibit is available on the museum’s website.

Further, the 60th edition of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year is open for entries until December 7, 2023, at 11:30 AM GMT. Complete entry rules and details, including an entry fee waiver for more than 100 countries, are available on the NMH’s website.


Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. All photos are individually credited and provided courtesy of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

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