Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026: Four Stunning Marine Images Make the Shortlist
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 exhibition has unveiled four marine-themed images for its upcoming showcase at London's Natural History Museum. The selected photos highlight diverse marine life, including polar bears, orcas, and bigeye trevally.
Why it matters
These images serve to raise public awareness about marine ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts in protected areas.
The first images from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 have been revealed, with four photographs featuring marine life and underwater environments among the 100 awarded images selected for this year’s exhibition at the Natural History Museum .
The category winners and overall Grand Title winner will be announced at the museum in London on 13 October, with the exhibition opening to the public on 16 October.
One of the most unusual images was captured from beneath the sea ice north of Svalbard, Norway.
Photographer Audun Rikardsen had spotted polar bear tracks close to a seal breathing hole. He drilled another hole nearby and placed a camera beneath the ice, attaching a motion sensor.
Around eight hours later, a polar bear arrived and looked down through the opening, producing the striking image titled Icy Window .
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