These photos are among those shortlisted for 2022's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
These photos are among those shortlisted for 2022's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Copyright Brandon Güell/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year: 7 shortlisted images from curious polar bears to frog parties

By Euronews
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The competition aims to highlight the beauty of nature, and humanity’s responsibility to protect it.

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A disappearing giraffe, an unusual rabbit encounter and a curious whale are among some of the highly commended images that have reached the final stretch of this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Now in its 58th year, the competition strives to highlight the beauty of nature, our place in the natural world and the responsibility we have to protect it.  

Polar frame by Dmitry Kokh, Russia

Dmitry documents polar bears taking over the small island of Kolyuchin, in the Russian High Arctic.

Dmitry Kokh / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Polar frame. Highly commended in the Animal Portraits category.Dmitry Kokh / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Humans left this abandoned settlement in 1992 and the photographer says he was surprised to see movement when his boat approached the island. He spotted more than 20 bears exploring the ghost town and captured this shot using a drone.

Climate change is reducing sea ice and pushing these extremely inquisitive animals ever closer to human settlements. 

The disappearing giraffe by Jose Fragozo, Portugal

Jose followed this giraffe on a moving vehicle, between the giant pillars of Kenya’s new Standard Gauge railway, to capture this image.

Jose Fragozo/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The disappearing giraffe. Highly commended in the Natural Artistry category.Jose Fragozo/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

It shows the stark contrast between the natural world and human infrastructure - something that is rapidly encroaching on the habitat of wild animals. 

Just one day’s catch by Srikanth Mannepuri, India

Srikanth’s photo is a sobering look at the scale of unsustainable fishing. It uses a drone to show the marlin and sailfish on offer at a fish market.

Srikanth Mannepuri/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Just one day’s catch. Highly commended in the Oceans: The Bigger Picture category.Srikanth Mannepuri/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

As top predators, these species are essential to marine ecosystems. 

Treefrog pool party by Brandon Güell, Costa Rica/USA

Mass treefrog breeding events only occur in a few remote locations a couple of times a year. Thousands of females arrive at dawn in the pool to mate, laying their eggs on overhanging palm fronds.

Brandon Güell/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Treefrog pool party. Highly commended in the Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles category.Brandon Güell/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Brandon waded through chest-deep murky water in Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas, Costa Rica to capture this image of the rare occasion.

Wanted! By Britta Jaschinski, Germany/UK

Britta uses torchlight to highlight the impact of coltan mining. This metallic ore is used to make components for phone and laptop batteries.

Britta Jaschinski/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wanted! Highly commended in the Photojournalism category.Britta Jaschinski/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

It is extracted from riverbeds in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by poorly paid miners who hunt wildlife for food. Hunting and trading threaten wildlife in the region, including the country’s population of gorillas, and have led to an increased risk of viruses jumping to humans.

Burrow mates by Morgan Heim, US

This intimate encounter between a rabbit and a beetle was captured by Morgan, in the Columbia Basin, Washington, US.

Morgan Heim/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Burrow mates. Highly commended in the Animals in their Environment category.Morgan Heim/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The photographer set up camera traps to observe the comings and goings of pygmy rabbits in the region. The small isolated population of this species was facing extinction until conservationists intervened, boosting their numbers. 

The right look by Richard Robinson, New Zealand

This young southern right whale took an interest in Richard, circling him for around 30 minutes in Port Ross, Auckland Island, New Zealand.

Richard Robinson/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The right look. Highly commended in the Animal Portraits category.Richard Robinson/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The species was hunted to near extinction by European whalers in the 1800s, then again by Soviet whalers in the 1900s. Now protected, the population has bounced back from a group with just 13 breeding females to more than 2,000 individuals. 

Where can I see the winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition?

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. This year, the competition attracted entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels across 93 countries.

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The winner will be revealed during an award ceremony hosted by TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham on 11 October. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opens on 14 October in London featuring 100 photos that illustrate the beauty of our planet.

“'Captured by some of the best photography talent from around the world, the 100 photographs encourage curiosity, connection and wonder,” says Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum.

“These inspiring images convey human impact on the natural world in a way that words cannot - from the urgency of declining biodiversity to the inspiring bounce back of a protected species.”

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