Playful Lynx Image Secures Wildlife Photographer of the Year Public Vote
A captivating action photograph of a young lynx engaging with its rodent prey has triumphed in the public vote for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. The image, capturing a rare Iberian lynx tossing its food into the air in Ciudad Real, Spain, was selected from a shortlist of 24 pictures, amassing a record-breaking 85,917 votes from the public.
Record-Breaking Public Engagement
The shortlisted entries for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People’s Choice Award were curated by a panel of judges from over 60,000 submissions to the prestigious competition. These selections are in addition to the 100 winning images announced in October, highlighting the exceptional quality of this year's entries.
Austrian photographer Josef Stefan captured the winning shot after two weeks of dedicated observation from a hide at Torre de Juan Abad in Spain. The photograph depicts the young lynx in a common behavioural display, playing with the rodent for approximately 20 minutes before concluding the game and consuming its prey behind a bush.
A Photographer's Dream Realised
Mr Stefan described the experience as "the pursuit of a dream that had been with me for years: encountering the Iberian lynx, one of the rarest and most endangered wild cats in the world." He emphasised the species' remarkable recovery, noting that from the brink of extinction in the early 2000s, conservation efforts have bolstered their population to over 2,000 individuals.
"The Iberian lynx is a living symbol of hope, showing what can happen when we take responsibility, act consciously and focus our attention where it’s most needed," Stefan stated. He added that winning this award and promoting this conservation message represents "the highlight of my 30 years as a nature photographer."
Highly Commended Runners-Up
Four additional images received high commendation from wildlife enthusiasts in the public vote:
- A group of flamingos positioned under power lines in Namibia, photographed by Alexandre Brisson.
- A mother polar bear with her three cubs enduring summer heat in Canada, captured by Christopher Paetkau.
- Young bear cubs play-fighting on a road, silhouetted against car headlights in Canada, taken by Will Nicholls.
- A sika deer carrying the interlocked severed head of a rival male that perished after a battle, shot by Kohei Nagira.
Exhibition and Recognition
Dr Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum in London, which organises the competition, remarked: "It’s been wonderful to see all the votes coming in to choose the photograph set for display in our flagship exhibition here at the Natural History Museum. Whether showcasing fascinating behaviour or platforming a powerful story, this year’s selection of images was truly exceptional."
The winning image and the four highly commended photographs will be featured on voting screens at the London exhibition until its closure on July 12. Additionally, the top image will be displayed on the gallery wall alongside the main competition winners, ensuring widespread public appreciation for these remarkable wildlife moments.
