Joseph Wachira comforts Sudan, the last male northern white rhino left on the planet, moments before he passed away at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya.
Joseph Wachira comforts Sudan, the last male northern white rhino left on the planet, moments before he passed away at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya.
Ami Vitale/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Capturing a family portrait of mum, dad and their eight chicks proved tricky for Andrew Lee -- the burrowing owls never got together to pose as a perfect 10. After many days of waiting, and when dad was out of sight, mum and her brood suddenly turned wide-eyed to glance in his direction -- the first time he had seen them all together.
Capturing a family portrait of mum, dad and their eight chicks proved tricky for Andrew Lee -- the burrowing owls never got together to pose as a perfect 10. After many days of waiting, and when dad was out of sight, mum and her brood suddenly turned wide-eyed to glance in his direction -- the first time he had seen them all together.
Andrew Lee/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
This Japanese warbonnet was photographed in the north of the Gulf of Oprichnik in the Sea of Japan. These unusual fish lead a territorial lifestyle among the stones and rocks of shallow coastal waters. They use their sharp-edged jaws to snap off sea cucumbers and gastropods.
This Japanese warbonnet was photographed in the north of the Gulf of Oprichnik in the Sea of Japan. These unusual fish lead a territorial lifestyle among the stones and rocks of shallow coastal waters. They use their sharp-edged jaws to snap off sea cucumbers and gastropods.
Andrey Shpatak/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Andy Parkinson spent five weeks watching the mountain hares near Tomatin in the Scottish Highlands, waiting patiently for any movement -- a stretch, a yawn or a shake.
Andy Parkinson spent five weeks watching the mountain hares near Tomatin in the Scottish Highlands, waiting patiently for any movement -- a stretch, a yawn or a shake.
Andy Parkinson/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Britta Jaschinski's photographs of items seized at airports and borders across the globe are a quest to understand why some individuals continue to demand wildlife products. This zebra head was confiscated at a border point in the US.
Britta Jaschinski's photographs of items seized at airports and borders across the globe are a quest to understand why some individuals continue to demand wildlife products. This zebra head was confiscated at a border point in the US.
Britta Jaschinski/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife rescuer and carer Julie Malherbe takes a call to assist the next animal rescue while looking after three recently orphaned gray-headed flying-foxes.
Wildlife rescuer and carer Julie Malherbe takes a call to assist the next animal rescue while looking after three recently orphaned gray-headed flying-foxes.
Douglas Gimesy/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
On assignment for WWF UK, Emmanuel Rondeau's brief was to photograph the elusive wildlife of the Bhutanese mountains. Surprised to find a rhododendron at an altitude of 3,500 meters (about 11,500 feet), he installed a camera trap. Returning weeks later, he was amazed to find a head-on picture of a takin.
On assignment for WWF UK, Emmanuel Rondeau's brief was to photograph the elusive wildlife of the Bhutanese mountains. Surprised to find a rhododendron at an altitude of 3,500 meters (about 11,500 feet), he installed a camera trap. Returning weeks later, he was amazed to find a head-on picture of a takin.
Emmanuel Rondeau/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
When this six-month-old snow leopard cub wasn't following its mother and copying her movements, it sought protection among the rocks.
When this six-month-old snow leopard cub wasn't following its mother and copying her movements, it sought protection among the rocks.
Frédéric Larrey/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia is home to a wide variety of wildlife, which exists alongside man-made mining operations. A long-nosed dragon pictured making use of human structures.
The Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia is home to a wide variety of wildlife, which exists alongside man-made mining operations. A long-nosed dragon pictured making use of human structures.
Gary Meredith/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Guillermo Esteves was photographing moose on the side of the road at Antelope Flats in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, US, when this large bull took an interest in the furry visitor.
Guillermo Esteves was photographing moose on the side of the road at Antelope Flats in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, US, when this large bull took an interest in the furry visitor.
Guillermo Esteves/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Joseph Dominic Anthony formed the idea for this photograph in 2016 on a visit to Mai Po Nature Reserve in Hong Kong. Taken within the Frontier Closed Area on the Chinese border, strictly timed access rules meant years of studying tide tables and waiting for the perfect weather.
Joseph Dominic Anthony formed the idea for this photograph in 2016 on a visit to Mai Po Nature Reserve in Hong Kong. Taken within the Frontier Closed Area on the Chinese border, strictly timed access rules meant years of studying tide tables and waiting for the perfect weather.
Joseph Dominic Anthony/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Located a short ride from the Florida Everglades, US, Marco Island is the largest and only developed land in Florida's Ten Thousand Barrier Islands. This Gulf Coast retreat offers luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, multimillion-dollar neighborhoods and, surprisingly, a thriving community of Florida burrowing owls, in this image captured by Karine Aigner.
Located a short ride from the Florida Everglades, US, Marco Island is the largest and only developed land in Florida's Ten Thousand Barrier Islands. This Gulf Coast retreat offers luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, multimillion-dollar neighborhoods and, surprisingly, a thriving community of Florida burrowing owls, in this image captured by Karine Aigner.
Karine Aigner/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
At the Saint Petersburg State Circus, a bear trainer performs his daily act with three Siberian brown bears.
At the Saint Petersburg State Circus, a bear trainer performs his daily act with three Siberian brown bears.
Kirsten Luce/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Scraps of grouper flesh fall from the jaws of two gray reef sharks as they tear the fish apart, pictured at Fakarava Atoll, French Polynesia.
Scraps of grouper flesh fall from the jaws of two gray reef sharks as they tear the fish apart, pictured at Fakarava Atoll, French Polynesia.
Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Of all the different primate species Mogens Trolle has photographed, the mandrill has proved the most difficult to reach, preferring to hide in tropical forests in remote parts of Central Africa. This made the experience of sitting next to this impressive alpha, as he observed his troop above, even more special.
Of all the different primate species Mogens Trolle has photographed, the mandrill has proved the most difficult to reach, preferring to hide in tropical forests in remote parts of Central Africa. This made the experience of sitting next to this impressive alpha, as he observed his troop above, even more special.
Mogens Trolle/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
As the weather grew colder, two Eurasian red squirrels (only one is clearly visible) found comfort and warmth in a box Neil Anderson had put up in one of the pine trees near his home in the Scottish Highlands.
As the weather grew colder, two Eurasian red squirrels (only one is clearly visible) found comfort and warmth in a box Neil Anderson had put up in one of the pine trees near his home in the Scottish Highlands.
Neil Anderson/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Oliver Richter has observed the European beavers near his home in Grimma, Saxony, Germany, for many years. This family portrait is at the beavers' favorite feeding place.
Oliver Richter has observed the European beavers near his home in Grimma, Saxony, Germany, for many years. This family portrait is at the beavers' favorite feeding place.
Oliver Richter/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A cheeky Asian palm civet kitten peeps from a bag in a small remote village in India.
A cheeky Asian palm civet kitten peeps from a bag in a small remote village in India.
Pallavi Prasad Laveti/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
While on a photography trip to the Norwegian archipelago, Svalbard, photographer Petri Pietil?inen had hoped to see polar bears. This one was spotted making its way towards birds nesting on a steep cliff.
While on a photography trip to the Norwegian archipelago, Svalbard, photographer Petri Pietil?inen had hoped to see polar bears. This one was spotted making its way towards birds nesting on a steep cliff.
Petri Pietil?inen/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A fire line leaves a trail of destruction through woodland near the border of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland, Australia.
A fire line leaves a trail of destruction through woodland near the border of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland, Australia.
Robert Irwin/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
This coconut octopus was spotted walking around the black sand of the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.
This coconut octopus was spotted walking around the black sand of the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.
Sam Sloss/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Two Iberian lynx kittens, Quijote and Queen, play in the abandoned hayloft where they were born.
Two Iberian lynx kittens, Quijote and Queen, play in the abandoned hayloft where they were born.
Sergio Marijuán Campuzano/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
As urban areas grow, threats to wildlife increase, and Iberian lynx have become a casualty of traffic accidents as they too seek to expand their own territories.
As urban areas grow, threats to wildlife increase, and Iberian lynx have become a casualty of traffic accidents as they too seek to expand their own territories.
Sergio Marijuán Campuzano/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Although green sea turtles are classified as endangered, at locations like Little Farmer's Cay in the Bahamas they can be observed with ease.
Although green sea turtles are classified as endangered, at locations like Little Farmer's Cay in the Bahamas they can be observed with ease.
Thomas Peschak/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
As Wim van den Heever watched this huge male lion lying on top of a large granite rock, a cold wind picked up and blew across the vast open plains of the Serengeti, Tanzania.
As Wim van den Heever watched this huge male lion lying on top of a large granite rock, a cold wind picked up and blew across the vast open plains of the Serengeti, Tanzania.
Wim van den Heever/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award shortlist 2020
CNN  — 

A coconut octopus, a burning forest, a rare rhino’s last moments and a pair of sleeping squirrels all feature in the shortlist for the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 People’s Choice Award.

Shortlisted from more than 49,000 entries from around the world, the 25 images, released Tuesday, show creatures photographed in destinations including oceans, rivers, forests, captivity, shrubland and even suburbia.

Organizers are asking the public to vote for the winning image, which will be announced in February 2021 and showcased in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at London’s Natural History Museum until July 2021.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners revealed, with tiger image scooping top prize

Creatures range from tiny to huge, from two squirrels snuggling in a nest of foliage in the Scottish highlands, to a Bhutanese takin roaming at high altitude and a huge lion presiding over a stormy slab of granite.

As the weather grew colder, two Eurasian red squirrels found comfort and warmth in a box photographer Neil Anderson had put up in one of the pine trees near his home in the Scottish Highlands.
As the weather grew colder, two Eurasian red squirrels found comfort and warmth in a box photographer Neil Anderson had put up in one of the pine trees near his home in the Scottish Highlands.
Neil Anderson/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Many of the images also explore the devastating relationship between humans and animals, and profile the disappearing natural world, with photos of forest fires, near-extinct species and wildlife roaming across urban settlements.

The awards feature work from both amateur and professional photographers from around the world.

A fire line leaves a trail of destruction through woodland near the border of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland, Australia.
A fire line leaves a trail of destruction through woodland near the border of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland, Australia.
Robert Irwin/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

“This year’s shortlist includes a wide diversity of wildlife photography from a fragile planet,” Tim Littlewood, executive director of science at the Natural History Museum and member of the judging panel, said in a statement.

“Whether assessing human-animal relationships, highlighting the plight of captive species or animals thriving in their environments, the public are in for a difficult decision,” he added.