Public given chance to vote for favourite wildlife image from ‘exceptional’ list

A 25-strong shortlist of images taken from entries to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest is being put to a public vote.

The public are being urged to vote for their favourite nature image from an “exceptional” shortlist for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year people’s choice award.

A determined honey badger trying to catch a spiky meal, a beluga doing a spot of exfoliating, an Indian wolf pack pausing in play and an image of a cheetah cub waiting to be sold at a market, are among the 25 images shortlisted for the public vote.

A European roller bird flying upside down defending its territory from a little owl sitting on a branch — A European roller bird defends its territory from a little owl in Kiskunsag National Park, Hungary (Bence Mate/Wildlife Photographer of the Year/PA)

Now the public can have their say on the images, voting for their favourite picture online or using digital screens at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the museum in London.

A badger looks in the direction of graffiti of a badger holding guns on a wall at night — A badger appears to check out badger graffiti on a quiet English road (Ian Wood/Wildlife Photographer of the Year/PA)

Dr Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, said: “The people’s choice award allows members of the public from across the globe to join the jury and vote for their winning image, inspiring everyone to connect with the natural world.”

A honey badger with porcupine quills embedded in it behind a porcupine — A honey badger gets spiked as it tries to catch a porcupine dinner (David Northall/Wildlife Photographer of the Year/PA)

Voting is open until January 29 next year, with the winning image and four runners-up announced in February and displayed online.

A puma stands on rocks with the jagged peaks of Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, in the background — A puma stands on rocks in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile (Aaron Baggenstos/Wildlife Photographer of the Year/PA)

People can vote for their favourite image from the people’s choice shortlist here: https://bit.ly/VotePeoplesChoice2024