Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017/18, Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017/18, Natural History Museum Ali Godwin

Glimpse of a lynx, mating sea angels and caged majestic tigers; every year, thousands of photographers send off astounding photographs in a bid to win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award.





First held in 1964, the competition has grown in quality and quantity. From humble beginnings of 600 entries in its first year, the number of applicants to this year’s annual photography exhibition now exceeds 50,000.















Swim gym by Laurent Ballesta (France), 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award Finalist







We love Laurent Ballesta's photograph (above) documenting a mother introducing her pup to the icy waters in east Antarctica and the heartbreakingly cute image of a mother brown bear playing with her cub after fishing for clams at low tide by young Wildlife Photographer of the Year finalist, Ashleigh Scully (below).











Bear hug by Ashleigh Scully (US), Young Photographer of the Year Award Finalist







A total of one hundred shortlisted images are displayed in the exhibition at London’s Natural History Museum. From the world’s deadliest predators in action to the largest swarms of life imaginable, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition 2017/18 is a much-needed celebration of the natural world.







We can't wait to see the winning photographs in all their glory.