Wildlife

The winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition have been announced, showcasing the year's best nature and wildlife photography. The award, run by the Natural History Museum in London, is one of the most prestigious prizes in the field, and the winning images are drawing attention for their depictions of animals and wild places around the world.

Influencer Mr Faisu is sharing a family day out with his parents and companion Tanya, featuring a breakfast alongside sea lions, a visit to a wildlife park and a trip to a snow world attraction. The outing, documented in a vlog-style video posted in Hindi, has drawn close to a million likes as fans react to the rare family appearance.

An aquarium has announced the birth of seven African penguin chicks, a species listed as critically endangered in the wild. The arrivals are being celebrated as a boost for conservation breeding programmes, which work to maintain a healthy insurance population of the species, whose wild numbers have collapsed due to overfishing, habitat loss and climate pressures.

Footage showcasing the abundant wildlife of the Pantanal, the vast tropical wetland in Brazil, is attracting large audiences worldwide. The region, home to jaguars, caimans, giant river otters and hundreds of bird species, is considered one of the best places on Earth to observe animals in the wild. Viewers are praising the stunning natural scenery and biodiversity, with the Pantanal becoming a focal point for nature lovers and wildlife tourism discussions.

A diver has shared footage of two squid swimming side by side about 80 feet (24 metres) below the surface during a dive last week. The squid appeared to stay together for most of the time, which the diver notes is a rare treat, as spotting even a single squid on a dive is unusual.

A rescuer saved a deer in distress, and footage of the encounter is capturing wide attention, with the story framed around an uplifting moment after the animal was freed. The clip has drawn more than a million likes as viewers share emotional reactions to the rescue and the deer's apparent recovery.

Photographers are sharing underwater images tagged for Silent Sunday, a weekly social media tradition where users post photos with little or no accompanying text. The posts feature scuba and ocean scenes under nature and photography hashtags, drawing engagement from wildlife and diving communities.

A wildlife anecdote is circulating about an animal earning the trust of new friends, only to face one problem: the friends sit high in a tree it cannot reach. The story ends warmly, with the friends going out of their way to lead it to a special tree where it can sit with them too.

A children's educational video teaching the sounds of wild and farm animals is attracting a large audience worldwide. The short lesson pairs cute animal footage with sounds from cats, cows, sheep, horses, giraffes and penguins, aimed at toddlers and young children learning animal names. Its popularity reflects steady parent demand for simple, screen-friendly learning content for early childhood.

Wildlife enthusiasts are drawing attention to the blue-throated bee-eater, a colourful bird of Southeast Asia with notably unusual breeding habits. Parents are sometimes assisted by 'helpers' — often older offspring or non-breeding adults — who feed the chicks and guard the nest burrow, a form of cooperative breeding that fascinates birders and ecologists.

Content creator Ronan Walters has released a new collaboration with the Anazala Family in which he investigates and claims to find a mystery animal in their backyard. The wildlife-themed video is drawing heavy engagement, with hundreds of thousands of viewers reacting to the discovery and the family's on-camera response. Fans are debating what the animal could be and sharing clips from the video.

A deer trapped in a forest has been freed by a passing stranger, in an animal rescue story drawing wide attention online. Viewers are responding warmly to the Good Samaritan's intervention, with the clip attracting well over a million likes as it circulates among animal lovers.

A children's learning video featuring a fun jungle safari is teaching young viewers the names of wild animals in both Hindi and English. The bilingual format has drawn a large audience, with hundreds of thousands of people engaging with the content, reflecting strong interest in early-learning material for kids.

Children's videos teaching the sounds of wild and farm animals are attracting large audiences, with clips from kids' channels such as Pyare Geet Kids and Tana Rhymes collecting hundreds of thousands of likes. The content pairs cute animal characters, including giraffes, penguins and cats, with their sounds to help young children learn.

A scuba diver has recounted a night dive in which large tarpon repeatedly circled the group, apparently hunting smaller fish that were drawn to the divers. The diver describes being in the ocean after dark as exciting, since that is when nocturnal creatures come out to feed. Other divers and ocean enthusiasts are responding warmly to the firsthand account of underwater nightlife.

A man approached a wild deer from behind in an effort to save her life, in footage that has drawn millions of reactions. Details of exactly what danger the deer faced, where the encounter took place, and how the rescue ended have not been made clear, but viewers are responding warmly to the unusual close encounter between a human and a wild animal.

Wildlife photographer Catherine Babault reports that during a private photo tour on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, she and her guest watched and photographed black bears catching salmon in a river, with one large bear catching several fish. She shared images from the encounter with fellow wildlife photography enthusiasts.

A pet owner in Canada recounted three good things from their day, starting with successfully trimming the claws of all three household cats without injury to their back, shoulders or clothing. The post also noted a repeat visit on a trail camera from a young stag frequenting a nearby trail. The lighthearted tally of everyday victories and wildlife sightings resonated with readers who enjoyed the relatable mix of domestic pet struggles and nature encounters.

A compilation of funny donkey clips is being billed as the funniest animal video of 2026, drawing more than a million likes from viewers worldwide. The footage shows donkeys in a series of silly, laugh-out-loud moments, and audiences are sharing it widely as feel-good entertainment.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 are drawing attention with their annual selection of humorous animal images from around the world, as highlighted by DW. The competition celebrates wildlife photography that captures animals in funny, candid moments, blending conservation awareness with light entertainment.

A wildlife compilation showing animal mothers proudly presenting their young is drawing large audiences worldwide. Viewers are reacting warmly to scenes of mothers from various species parading, grooming and protecting their babies, with hundreds of thousands engaging with the footage. Commenters describe the clips as uplifting and share them widely, adding the compilation to a wave of feel-good animal content circulating this week.

Nature photographers are sharing recent sightings across the Netherlands, including a wryneck photographed at Maasvlakte near Rotterdam and a juvenile pallid harrier near Eemnes, both shot with Sony camera equipment. A post also notes a small invasion of nutcrackers, a species described as very rare for the Netherlands. Birders are celebrating the unusual string of rarities appearing in Dutch nature areas.

A diver reported a successful dive on a reef that descends steeply from a gently sloping sandy bottom, describing the transition from the sandy edge down the reef wall. The account, shared with photos showing a diver beginning the descent and continuing partway down, is drawing attention from ocean and diving enthusiasts interested in reef topography and underwater exploration.

A wildlife photographer has shared a striking image of a wren apparently defending its patch, captioned with the playful phrase 'Get off my lawn!' The shot, tagged under nature and bird photography tags, is drawing warm engagement from nature lovers, who are enjoying the bird's feisty territorial attitude and the photographer's sense of humour.

Mass Audubon's Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in the Berkshires is presenting an exhibition titled 'Roots, Stems, Leaves, Sky'. Local coverage from The Berkshire Edge highlights the show, which focuses on nature and the landscape surrounding the sanctuary. The exhibit gives visitors a reason to explore the wildlife sanctuary while celebrating the region's natural environment.

An artist has posted a new digital illustration made during a pause on a cycling trip, describing the piece as an exercise in loosening up their style, inspired by the illustrator Alariko. The work is being shared amid ongoing debates about AI-generated imagery, which the artist refers to as the 'slopocalypse'.

A social media user in Australia shared one of their 'three good things': spotting a blue fairy wren in town, a rare occurrence for the species in an urban setting. They described it as a real gift, also noting mulberries ripening locally and caring friends. The post reflects a popular gratitude hashtag where people share small daily joys, often including wildlife encounters.

A compilation of cows behaving in comically dramatic ways is drawing large audiences worldwide. Viewers are sharing clips of the oversized animals reacting theatrically to everyday situations, calling them unexpectedly funny given their size. The lighthearted animal footage has become a popular share as people pass around the amusing moments.

A grizzly bear has been photographed grazing on plants in a meadow on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The images, shared by wildlife photographer Catherine Babault, have drawn attention from nature lovers, who are praising the rare glimpse of the animal in its coastal habitat and sharing the photos widely among wildlife photography communities.

Photographers are sharing images of the azure damselfly (Coenagrion puella), a small damselfly common across Europe in spring and summer. The French caption 'agrion jouvencelle' indicates posts from French-speaking nature photography communities, where macro shots of the insect are being exchanged among wildlife and nature photography enthusiasts.

Nature photographers are sharing photographs of the golden-crowned kinglet, a tiny North American songbird known for its bright crown stripe and restless foraging in conifer forests. The images are drawing appreciative responses from birdwatchers and wildlife fans, with people swapping observations about where they have spotted the species and praising the skill needed to photograph such a small, fast-moving bird.

A wildlife photograph showing a ruby-crowned kinglet perched among fall flowers is circulating on social media, drawing appreciation from nature and birdwatching communities. The image highlights the small songbird during autumn, a season when kinglets migrate through much of North America, and has gathered engagement from photography and wildlife enthusiasts.

Photographer Laura Lawrence has shared a series of black-and-white close-up photographs of a rose, tagged under nature and wildlife themes. The monochrome images are picking up small amounts of engagement from nature and photography enthusiasts who appreciate close-up floral work.

A photographer is sharing close-up monochrome images of birds, tagged for wildlife and nature audiences. The black-and-white shots are picking up modest engagement as bird and photography communities circulate them.

A photographer at the London Wetland Centre shared a striking image of a jay that landed on a fence just as he was about to leave, with the setting sun illuminating the bird as it stared back at him. The photo is being appreciated by bird and wildlife photography enthusiasts.

A photographer has shared striking images of three paragliders gliding above Lake Molveno in Trentino, in Italy's Dolomites. The shots capture the gliders layered against the mountain landscape surrounding the alpine lake. The images are being shared by outdoor and landscape photography enthusiasts, drawing attention to the region as a destination for paragliding and mountain scenery.

Wildlife photographer laur_lawr has shared a series of colorful close-up insect photographs, tagged for nature and wildlife audiences. The images are attracting modest engagement from nature lovers and photography fans, who are appreciating the detailed macro shots of insects in their natural setting.

A wildlife photograph capturing birds mid-splash is circulating among nature and photography enthusiasts. The image, shared with tags covering birds, wildlife and nature photography, is attracting appreciation from people who follow wildlife imagery, though no further details about the species, location or photographer are available.

A barred owl turned up in a homeowner's backyard on Halloween morning, a fitting visitor given the bird's eerie, haunting calls often featured in spooky soundtracks. The sighting was shared with nature and wildlife enthusiasts online, drawing appreciation for the close-up encounter with the striking owl.

The Nelson Boys, a YouTube family channel, have released an 'Animal Hospital Challenge in Real Life', in which the family takes part in a wildlife or animal-care themed challenge. The video has drawn strong attention, with over 860,000 likes, placing it among the platform's most engaged wildlife-related content globally this week.

The National Park Foundation is highlighting the lesser-known animals that live in national parks, shifting attention away from famous species like bears. The piece spotlights overlooked wildlife and encourages visitors to notice and appreciate the full range of species protected in these landscapes.

Visitors to Boulders Beach near Cape Town are sharing photos of the African penguin colony bathing and wading along the shoreline. The images, tagged with South Africa wildlife and travel photography labels, showcase the famous beach where people can watch penguins up close, drawing warm reactions from wildlife fans and holidaymakers.

Wildlife photographers are sharing images of mallards, tagging posts with birds, wildlife and nature photography hashtags. The ducks, among the most familiar wildfowl, remain a popular subject for amateur and hobbyist photographers posting their latest shots online.

Hikers in the Central Cascades near Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State enjoyed a sunny hike over the weekend and were rewarded with a rare wildlife sighting: a pika perched on rocks beside a scree field. They heard the small mammal's distinctive squeak before spotting it posing long enough to photograph, sharing the encounter with fellow Pacific Northwest outdoor enthusiasts.

Photography enthusiasts are posting images of birds spotted along Britain's canal network, sharing them under wildlife and photography tags. The canal system has long been a popular spot for birdwatching, with herons, kingfishers, ducks and other waterbirds commonly seen along the towpaths. The current posts appear to be part of routine nature photography sharing among hobbyists.

A close-up wildlife photograph of a large milkweed bug is being shared and appreciated by nature photography enthusiasts. The striking image, tagged under insects, bugs and wildlife, has drawn positive engagement from viewers interested in insect and nature photography.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has established a third reintroduced population of the endangered Pacific pocket mouse at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. The tiny species, once thought extinct, has been bred in conservation programs and gradually returned to its native coastal habitat. Conservation groups are highlighting the effort as a milestone in recovering one of North America's smallest rodents.

A photographer in Lahntal, Hesse, has shared an image of a mushroom discovered beneath a thick blanket of fallen leaves while out in nature this autumn. The shot is being shared among nature and wildlife photography enthusiasts, alongside tags for hiking, gardening and outdoor themes.

Nature photographers are sharing images of local wildlife during a morning walk, tagged under wildlife and nature photography hashtags. The post describes a 'waddle' spotted in the poster's local patch, suggesting ducks or similar animals were photographed. Others in the nature and photography community are engaging with the images and the accompanying hashtags about moss and fungi.

A photographer is sharing plant and nature images tagged in Czech, English, French and German, reaching an international audience under community tags like FlowersOfMastodon and bloomscrolling. The posts show the multilingual tagging practice common among nature photographers, helping images travel across language communities and drawing small but steady appreciation from viewers in different countries.

A wildlife photographer has shared images of sea otters perched on an iceberg in Columbia Bay near Valdez, Alaska. The photos have drawn attention from wildlife and nature enthusiasts, with viewers praising the rare sight of the animals hauled out on floating ice in Prince William Sound. The photographer also links to a broader gallery of Alaska wildlife work.

Photos of the Knysna Heads, the dramatic sandstone cliffs guarding the narrow entrance to the Knysna estuary on South Africa's Garden Route, are being shared widely by nature and landscape photography enthusiasts. The images highlight the headlands where the lagoon meets the Indian Ocean, framed by indigenous forest and coastal flora, drawing appreciation from audiences across multiple languages.

A photographer has shared images of Agave shawii, a succulent native to the region, growing in Balboa Park's desert garden in San Diego, California. The pictures highlight the plant's distinctive leaves among a cluster of agaves, drawing appreciation from plant and gardening enthusiasts who admire the desert flora on display in the park.