15 Amazing Images Which Show Both The Joy & Anguish Of The Natural World

© Brent Stirton / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is always a joyous occasion but this year's instalment also has a sobering air to it due to the winning image, captured by Bren Stirton, showing the cruel reality of the effect humans are still having on the natural world. 

The image was captured South Africa’s Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve and shows a recently shot and de-horned black rhino - an animal which has become critically endangered due to poaching and the illegal international trade in rhino horn. 

Competition judge Roz Kidman Cox says "To make such a tragic scene almost majestic in its sculptural power deserves the highest award. There is rawness, but there is also great poignancy and therefore dignity in the fallen giant. It’s also symbolic of one of the most wasteful, cruel and unnecessary environmental crimes, one that needs to provoke the greatest public outcry."

Other winning images include a charismatic portrait of a young western lowland gorilla from the Republic of Congo, lounging on the forest floor whilst feeding on fleshy African breadfruit. The image was captured by Daniël Nelson and he was awarded the title of 'Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017' for his efforts. 

Displays of rarely seen animal behaviour, hidden underwater worlds and shots of nature with a comical twist also feature on the finalist list. 

Take a look at the images below which are also going on display in an exhibition which opens at the National History Museum this week. The next competition opens to entries on 23 October 2017. 

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, and it has attracted entries from all over the world for many years. Last year, a photo of a critically endangered Bornean orangutan took the top accolade while a beautiful but haunting portrait of a fox won the overall title in 2015. 

 © Peter Delaney / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Justin Gilligan / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Tony Wu / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Ekaterina Bee / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Aaron Gekoski / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Eilo Elvinger / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Ashleigh Scully / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Dorin Bofan / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Brian Skerry / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Daniel Nelson / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 

© Laurent Ballesta / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Gerry Pearce /  Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Anthony Berberian /  Wildlife Photographer of the Year

© Marcio Cabral / Wildlife Photographer of the Year