Wildlife Highlights: A Chonky Sea Lion, Amorous Toads and an Adorable Gosling
This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world capture remarkable moments, from a viral Steller sea lion in San Francisco to amorous toads in Russia.
Steller Sea Lion Steals the Show
A particularly bulky Steller sea lion, nicknamed Chonkers, has become an unofficial mascot of San Francisco after basking among California sea lions at Pier 39. This species is lighter than its Californian cousins but much larger, and Chonkers has gained viral fame.
Toads in Amplexus
In the Sestroretsk bog natural reserve near St Petersburg, Russia, a female toad was photographed carrying two males towards a spawning area, a behaviour known as amplexus.
Greylag Gosling in London
A greylag gosling nibbled on a plant in St James’s Park, London, offering a tender moment of early spring.
Bear Relocated in California
US officials relocated a 125kg bear in Pacoima, California, after it wandered near a primary school and golfers attempted selfies with it.
Puffin-Cams Return to Farne Islands
Guillemots and puffins have returned to the Farne Islands, with puffin-cams providing live views of 200,000 seabirds nesting. On Skomer Island, Wales, a record 52,019 puffins were counted, a pleasant surprise after seabird deaths in southern Europe.
Barbary Macaque on Gibraltar
A Barbary macaque sat on a stone wall on the Rock of Gibraltar, a reminder of the only wild Old World monkeys in Europe.
Hedgehog GPS Tracking in Northern Ireland
Conservation charity Ulster Wildlife launched a GPS tracking project to study hedgehogs’ nocturnal activities and protect the species.
Camera Trap Captures Pheasant
A cock pheasant was caught on camera in a bluebell wood in Shropshire, UK, ready for its closeup.
Grasshopper on Rose
A young grasshopper rested atop a rose in Los Angeles, California.
Merganser Ducklings Cross Warsaw
A common merganser mother, Justyna, led her eight ducklings from Lazienkowski Park towards the Vistula River, guided by volunteers.
Sea Otter Orphan and Adult Snack
Rescued sea otter orphan Sunny and adult female Rey shared a snack at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California.
Ants Cross Gravel Path
Ants crossed a gravel path in Oregon, USA.
Invasive Green Iguana in Florida
An invasive green iguana, native to Central and South America, was spotted at Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida.
Parrot and Chick in India
A parrot with its chick in their nest in Ajmer, India.
Terrapins Sunbathing in North Macedonia
Terrapins enjoyed the sun on a floating log in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
Cattle Egret Catches Frog in Turkey
A cattle egret caught a frog among reeds at the Sarıyar dam in Turkey.
Alligator in Florida Wetlands
An alligator swam in shallow waters at Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida.
Signature Spider in Assam
A signature spider hung from its web in Assam, India.
Oriental Garden Lizard in West Bengal
An oriental garden lizard perched on a tree trunk to catch flying prey in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, known for its chameleon-like colour change.
Langur Monkeys and Bull in Pushkar
Langur monkeys cosied up to a bull in Pushkar, India.
Pelicans Rest in Turkey
A flock of pelicans gathered in shallow waters at the Sarıyar dam, Turkey.
Mother Duck at Bath Spa University
A mother duck took her brood for a stroll through Bath Spa University’s Newton Park campus in Somerset, England.
