In a remarkable development, Josef Stefan has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People’s Choice Award 2026 for his photograph titled ‘Flying Rodent’. The announcement was made on March 25, 2026, at the Natural History Museum in London.
The award garnered a record-breaking 85,917 votes, highlighting the public’s enthusiasm for wildlife photography. Stefan’s winning image captures a young Iberian lynx playfully tossing a rodent into the air in Ciudad Real, Spain, showcasing the beauty and playfulness of this endangered species.
This year’s competition was fierce, with shortlisted photographs selected from a staggering 60,636 entries submitted from 113 countries and territories. The exhibition featuring the winning and highly commended images will remain open until July 12, 2026, allowing visitors to appreciate the stunning works of art.
Stefan expressed his gratitude, stating, “Winning this award and being able to platform this message is the highlight of my 30 years as a nature photographer.” His photograph not only celebrates the beauty of wildlife but also raises awareness about the conservation efforts surrounding the Iberian lynx, whose population has rebounded to over 2,000 individuals due to dedicated conservation initiatives.
Among the four highly commended images this year are works by Alexandre Brisson, Christopher Paetkau, Will Nicholls, and Kohei Nagira, further emphasizing the high caliber of talent in wildlife photography.
Dr. Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, remarked, “It’s been wonderful to see all the votes coming in to choose the photograph set for display in our flagship exhibition here at the Natural History Museum.” This reflects the growing public interest in wildlife conservation and the role photography plays in it.
The Iberian lynx, once on the brink of extinction in the early 2000s, has become a symbol of successful conservation efforts, demonstrating the impact of dedicated work in protecting endangered species.
As the exhibition continues, it serves as a reminder of the importance of wildlife photography in raising awareness and inspiring action for conservation.