From dramatic sweeping views of wilderness vistas to close-up shots of animals that seem almost otherworldly, unforgettable nature photographs from the world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) exhibition return to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in nearby Toronto from Nov. 7, 2026, until Feb. 28, 2027.
With 100 extraordinary new photographs on display, this acclaimed exhibition from the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London, now in its 62nd year, enables visitors to experience our fragile natural world in vivid detail. Through the power of these stunning photographs, WPY’s focus on the environment and creatures all around us inspires and reminds us of the responsibility we hold toward caring for our shared planet.
“From a stark portrait of a scarred lion to a storm-dark ocean teeming with fishes, this year’s photographs burst with life,” says Nicholas R. Bell, ROM Director & CEO. “Just as importantly, these images capture the myriad threats facing nature today – and remind us of the urgency to protect our ecosystems.”
WPY’s return this November marks the 14th year in a row the Museum has exhibited images from the prestigious global photography contest, and will be the first 2026 North American stop of this internationally touring exhibition – a perennial must-see for ROM visitors.
“Wildlife photography offers a unique window into the state of the planet,” says Dr. Soren Brothers, Allan and Helaine Shiff Curator of Climate Change and ROM curator for the exhibition. “As such, these photographs bring us together and trigger important conversations, but they also engender a shared sense of awe, wonder, and humility.”
These powerful images are selected by an international panel of expert judges from across the disciplines of wildlife photography, filmmaking, science and conservation. Submissions to the competition – which is open to photographers of all ages and experience levels – were judged anonymously on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence.
“Every year, I think the entries to our competition can’t get any stronger – and every year I am proven wrong! Selected from a record-breaking 65,403 images, this preview presents just a small insight into the 100 incredible photographs in store for visitors to our exhibition,” says Kathy Moran, Chair of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Jury. “These images pave the way for a deepened appreciation and commitment to our natural world.”
The category winners and the prestigious Grand Title and Young Grand Title awards will be announced on the evening of Oct. 13 at a ceremony hosted at the Natural History Museum, London.
In anticipation of the exhibition and awards announcement, NHM recently released a selection of 15 Highly Commended photographs that will be included in this year’s exhibition. Canadian finalists are included among the shortlisted photographs – including Shane Gross’s split-image view of a school of bigeye trevally fish and the dramatic cloudscape near D’Arros Island in the Seychelles, and Gil Wizen’s little lichen dragon katydid that is found only in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador.
