Nature
PUBLISHED
Sika deer settle their differences by locking horns in violent, sometimes fatal, clashes. This stunning image, aptly named "Never-ending Struggle,” shows a male deer in Hokkaido, Japan, with the severed head of a rival entangled in its horns. A local fisherman told the photographer that the victorious deer dragged the deceased's body for several days before ripping off its head. Against the odds, the deer survived the winter.
The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.The image is just one of the many spectacular nominees for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award 2026, hosted by the Natural History Museum in London.
This year, as ever, the competition has some truly incredible images, beautifully captured and often with an important message. Below you’ll find a selection of other images shortlisted for the Nuveen People’s Choice Award 2026, with the full collection available to view here: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/peoples-choice. If you spot a favorite, you can vote online at the link provided.
Among the collection is “A Fleeting Moment,” a picture of pink-feathered rufous-vented ground cuckoo catching a lucky dinner in the depths of the Costa Rican rainforest, as well as "Portrait of Extinction," depicting rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority standing proudly against a mountain of confiscated snares.
Bear fans won’t be disappointed with the “Family Rest,” which shows a mother polar bear and her three cubs peacefully lying on a summer’s day along the Hudson Bay coast. “The Final Portrait” shows another side of the story, with an arresting shot of an innocent-looking polar bear cub in the Svalbard archipelago that was later shot dead by police after its mother had passed away from a grueling death.
Voting closes on March 18, 2026. The winning image, as well as four runners-up, will be announced a week later on March 25. The winning image will be displayed in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which closes on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
So, if any of these images catch your eye and speak to you, be sure to vote.
“No matter where you are in the world, it’s time to join the jury and vote in the Nuveen People’s Choice Award to select the photograph set for display in our flagship exhibition here at the Natural History Museum. Whether showcasing fascinating behaviour or platforming a powerful story, this year's selection of images is truly exceptional, and we can't wait to see which one will be chosen as the public's favourite,” Dr Douglas Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, London, said in a statement.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.
