Some of the world's most incredible wildlife photographs will go on display next month when an internationally renowned exhibition visits the Isle of Man.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year display opens at the House of Manannan in Peel on Saturday, December 5, and features 100 images picked from more than 65,000 entries submitted across 121 countries and territories.

The exhibition, on loan from London's Natural History Museum, is in its 62nd year and will run until Sunday, January 31, 2027.

The collection ranges from the Arctic to southern England, with winning entries showing moments of animal behaviour that are rarely seen up close.

It brings together photographs of wildlife from around the world, including intimate animal encounters and dramatic scenes captured in the wild.

An international judging panel assessed entries anonymously for creativity, originality and technical excellence, with the winners announced at an event hosted by wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.

Among the highlights is a photograph by Audun Rikardsen showing a polar bear looking into the water through a breathing hole in Arctic sea ice, from a seal's perspective.

After finding bear tracks near a seal hole, the photographer drilled another opening nearby and positioned an underwater camera connected to a motion sensor above the ice.

Eight hours later, the bear approached and peered into the water, allowing him to capture the unusual image.

The Meeting Place by James Lewin
The Meeting Place by James Lewin (James Lewin)

The competition's overall winning photograph, by Federico Veronesi, shows an elephant carrying its dead calf.

Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 went to British photographer Oscar Whitfield, who lives in Zimbabwe.

His photograph, ‘Labour of Love’, captures a dung beetle pushing its cargo.

In the 10 Years and Under category, Amelie Davis won with an image of a common carder bee hovering as it approached a flower in southern England.

Having spent months photographing bees, she captured the moment on her father's smartphone after finding the garden full of insects without having her camera with her.

Laura McCoy, curator for natural history at Manx National Heritage, said: ‘This year’s winning photographs show just how powerfully wildlife photography can change the way we see nature.

Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, said: ‘Through a collection of truly extraordinary images, this exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the wonder of our planet through the eyes of some of the world’s most talented photographers.

‘At a time when nature is under more pressure than ever before, these photographs remind us of both what is at stake and what is worth protecting. It will be impossible to leave without feeling a renewed sense of wonder for our incredible planet.’

First launched in 1965, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is an annual competition whose exhibition tours internationally.

The House of Manannan is among the first museums to host this year's travelling exhibition.

For more information or to buy tickets visit: www.manxnationalheritage.im

The exhibition closes on January 31, 2027.