The Natural History Museum has offered an early glimpse into this year’s wildlife photographer of the year exhibition.
Breathtaking pictures show images of natural life under pressure from cheetahs swimming in a raging river to a lynx making a comeback and a striking ecological disaster.
This year marks the 57th exhibition with a record number of submissions.
Photographers captured an orphaned grey-headed flying-fox pup sucking on a dummy, a slick of dying herrings in the wake of a fishing boat in Norway and blood dripping down the muzzle of a lioness in Tanzania’s Serengeti.
Experts considered 50,000 submissions from 95 different countries.
Chair of the judging panel Roz Kidman Cox said: “It was the overall quality of entries that took us by surprise.
“With most travel plans cancelled over the past year, photographers seem to have spent extra time considering what gems to submit.”
A collection of highly commended images was released on Tuesday ahead of the highly anticipated October launch in South Kensington.
They serve as a compelling reminder of the importance of the rich diversity of life on Earth in securing the future of our planet.
Museum director Dr Doug Gurr, said: “Telling the story of a planet under pressure, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition illuminates the urgent challenges we face and the collective action we need to take.
“This year’s inspiring exhibition will move and empower audiences to advocate for the natural world.”
The Natural History Museum is set to announce category winners on October 12 and winners will be displayed in an exhibition running from October 15 until June 5, 2022.
