An airborne stoat, a lion 'lover's quarrel', and a jaguar sinking its teeth into a caiman are just some of the recently released Highly Commended images from this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The winners of the 2024 contest will be awarded on 8 October and as the announcement draws near, the Natural History Museum in London have released a selection of 15 breathtaking photos to sate the appetites of impatient wildlife photography fans.

ferret-Jose-Manuel-Grandío-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Twist and Jump
Highly Commended, Behaviour: Mammals
Jose Manuel Grandío braves below-zero temperatures to witness a stoat jumping high into the air above the snow.
Jose Manuel Grandío/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The competition, now in its sixtieth year, attracted a record-breaking 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 117 countries and territories. An international panel of expert judges assessed the images for their creativity, originality, and technical excellence, reducing the massive pool of photographs down to just 100 which will be showcased in an exhibition that travels the globe. A winner will be awarded in each category, while the prestigious Grand Title and Young Grand Title awards will go to the two entrants the judges deem most deserving.

For the first time, photographers in both the young and adult competitions also stand a chance to win the Impact Award, a new accolade created to recognise a conservation success, a story of hope and/or positive change.

When talking about the recently released Highly Commended images, Chair of the judging panel, Kathy Moran says: “In this selection you see species diversity, a range of behaviour and conservation issues. These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world - the beauty and the challenges. It is a powerful selection with which to kickstart a milestone anniversary.”

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

jaguar-caiman-Ian-Ford-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Deadly Bite
Highly Commended, Behaviour: Mammals
Ian Ford documents the moment a jaguar delivers a fatal bite to a caiman in the Pantanal.
Ian Ford/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
lions-William-Fortescue-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Stormy Scene
Highly Commended, Behaviour: Mammals
William Fortescue uses a backdrop of storm clouds lit by the setting sun to show mating lions.
William Fortescue/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
deer-Shreyovi-Mehta-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
In the Spotlight
Runner-Up, 10 Years and Under
Shreyovi Mehta finds two Indian peafowl ‘looking perfect for a picture’.
Shreyovi Mehta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
owls-Sasha-Jumanca-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Leaving the Nest
Highly Commended, 10 Years and Under
Sasha Jumanca finds two tawny owlets curiously watching people walking by.
Sasha Jumanca /Wildlife Photographer of the Year
wasps-Georgina-Steytler-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Centre of Attention
Highly Commended, Behaviour: Invertebrates
Georgina Steytler observes a ball of male Dawson’s burrowing bees vying for access to a female.
Georgina Steytler/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
spider-Lam-Soon-Tak-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Ziggy Spider
Highly Commended, Behaviour: Invertebrates
Lam Soon Tak spots a vibrantly coloured David Bowie spider carrying an egg sac.
Lam Soon Tak/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
deer-snow-Randy-Robbins-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
The Last Resting Place
Highly Commended, Natural Artistry
Randy Robbins is struck by the unusual beauty of the frosted form of this deer on the forest floor.
Randy Robbins/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Pallas-cat-Xingchao-Zhu-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Moonlight Hunter
Highly Commended, Behaviour: Mammals
Xingchao Zhu comes face to face with a Pallas’s cat as the moon sets.
Xingchao Zhu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
bird-Samual-Stone-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Precious Rocks
Highly Commended, Behaviour: Birds
Samual Stone watches as a jackdaw brings stones to its nest.
Samual Stone/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
seals-Tamara-Stubbs-and-Atlantic-Productions-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Going with the Floe
Highly Commended, Animals in their Environment
Tamara Stubbs spots these crabeater seals taking a nap among the sea ice.
Tamara Stubbs/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
clams-Theo-Bosboom-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Strength in Numbers
Highly Commended, Animals in their Environment
Theo Bosboom shows how mussels bind together to avoid being washed away from the shoreline.
Theo Bosboom/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
glacier-Thomas-Vijayan-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
The Disappearing Ice Cap
Highly Commended, Oceans: The Bigger Picture
Thomas Vijayan utilises his drone to show the epic scale of the Bråsvellbreen glacier.
Thomas Vijayan /Wildlife Photographer of the Year
shark-Tommy-Trenchard-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
Hooked
Highly Commended, Oceans: The Bigger Picture
Tommy Trenchard documents the bycatch of a requiem shark, its body arched in a final act of resistance.
Tommy Trenchard/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
manatees-Jason-Gulley-Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year_2024-09-02.jpg
As Clear as Crystal
Highly Commended, Underwater
Jason Gulley gazes through clear water at a manatee and a calf adrift among the eelgrass.
Jason Gulley/Wildlife Photographer of the Year