The Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the longest-running and one of the most prestigious photography competitions globally with the winners across 16 categories selected from 50,000 entries hailing from 95 countries.
From just 361 entries to the Animals Magazine competition in 1965, the contest has blossomed to be the major showcase for wildlife and environmental photography in the world today.
![Portfolio award winner and Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023: The Ancient Mariner - a tri-spine horseshoe crab moves over the mud at Pangatalan Island, Palawan, in the Philippines. Photo / Laurent Ballesta, Wildlife Photographer of the Year](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/5S5BPMEHENGYZH4B2CJI5LRJYM.jpg?auth=7b33c9dcf864c37e4e71e19f263f306a2e5866e87de599fcd5588cee4c28ba5e&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The London Natural History Museum became involved in 1984 with interest and entries growing in number each year.
Winners and runners-up in this year’s contest were announced in October, kicking off a global tour of all the shortlisted images.