There are curious meerkats and leaping squirrels. A elusive tapir can be seen, as well as a brown bear that takes a break in the tree beside an eagle. And a sweet moment between two lions.

These are just a few of the topics that make up the shortlist of 25 subjects for the People’s Choice Award. It is part of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the year competition.

After reviewing more than 50,000 submissions from 95 countries, organizers decided on 25 images to shortlist. Now the public can vote for their choice.

Today’s vote will open and close at noon on Tuesday February 2nd 2022. At an, the photo with the highest ranking will be displayed Exhibition in London’s Natural History Museum, June 5-2022

However, some photos may not be easy to see. A heartbreaking photo shows an Amazon river dolphin being saved. Another captures a Kangaroo with her baby, framed in a forest fire.

Natalie Cooper, a researcher at The Natural History Museum, was part of the judging panel. Picking just one image from these pictures is a daunting task. We look forward to finding the wild moment that will be chosen by the public. 

This group of meerkats in the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in South Africa are very relaxed around people. In fact, they mostly completely ignored Thomas's presence, being way too preoccupied with lounging, hunting, grooming and fighting. He was therefore able to get in close and use a wide angle lens to include the arid savannah and mountains they call home

The meerkats of the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, are extremely relaxed when around humans. Thomas was almost completely absent from their lives, and they were far too focused on lounging or hunting. Thomas was able get close enough to use his wide angle lens to capture the mountains and savannah they called home.

In the Lishan Nature Reserve in Shanxi Province, China, Qiang watched as two male golden pheasants continuously swapped places on this trunk ¿ their movements akin to a silent dance in the snow. The birds are native to China, where they inhabit dense forests in mountainous regions. Although brightly coloured, they are shy and difficult to spot, spending most of their time foraging for food on the dark forest floor, only flying to evade predators or to roost in very high trees during the night

In the Lishan Nature Reserve in Shanxi Province, China, Qiang watched as two male golden pheasants continuously swapped places on this trunk – their movements akin to a silent dance in the snow. They are native to China where they live in dense forest areas. They are brightly colored but shy and hard to spot. The birds spend most of their time searching for food in the forest floor.

One morning Minghui noticed a group of ants working together in perfect unity to restrain a green katydid in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan Province, China. These remarkable ants don't always kill, they have been observed 'farming' certain types of insects, including leaf hoppers. The ants offer leaf hoppers protection from predators and parasites so that they can feed on the sweet sap the leaf hoppers excrete

Minghui spotted a team of ants working together to control a green katydid, in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. It was Yunnan Province. The ants aren’t necessarily deadly, but they can be seen “farming” some insects such as leaf hoppers. To ensure leaf hoppers’ protection against predators and parasites, the ants provide leaf hoppers with sweet sap.

Iberian lynx are one of the world's most endangered cats due to habitat loss, decreasing food sources, car hits and illegal hunting. But thanks to conservation efforts the species is recovering and can be found in small areas of Portugal and Spain. Antonio captured this image while leading a conservation project based around photography in Peñalajo, Castilla La Mancha, Spain. He knew a family of lynx used this waterhole to drink, so he rigged up a hide close by

Iberian lynxes are among the most endangered cat species in the world. This is due to habitat destruction, declining food sources, illegal hunting and car accidents. The species can now be found in small parts of Spain and Portugal thanks to conservation efforts. Antonio captured this image while leading a conservation project based around photography in Peñalajo, Castilla La Mancha, Spain. Knowing that a family lynx would use this waterhole for drinking, Antonio built a hide nearby.

It was the schooling barracudas at Blue Corner, Palau, in the western Pacific, that grabbed Yung Sen Wu's attention while diving in the turquoise seascape. He had been swimming with them for four days, but their formation constantly changed shape and he could not find the perfect angle. On the fifth day his luck changed when the fish seemed to accept him into the group. Surrounded by the barracudas, he started to imagine how one fish sees another while swimming, and this was the picture he wanted. The fish were fast, and he had to swim hard to keep his place in the school. At the end of an exhausting 50 minutes, he got his perfect 'fish eye' view

Yung Sen Wu was attracted to the blue seascape by the barracudas that were swimming in Blue Corner (Palau), in the western Pacific. After four days of swimming with them, his formation changed constantly and he was unable to find the ideal angle. His luck improved on the fifth day when the fish began to welcome him into their group. He began to see the fish swimming around him and thought of the way they saw each other. He had to work hard to maintain his position in school because the fish were very fast. He finally achieved his perfect fish eye view after a hard 50-minute period.

Black bear cubs will often climb trees, where they wait safely for their mother to return with food. Here, in the depths of the temperate rainforest of Anan in Alaska, this little cub decided to take an afternoon nap on a moss-covered branch under the watchful eye of a juvenile bald eagle. The eagle had been sitting in this pine tree for hours and Jeroen found the situation extraordinary

Sometimes, black bear cubs climb trees and wait patiently for their mothers to bring them food. The little cub found a spot in Alaska’s temperate forest of Anan, where he decided to rest on a branch covered in moss. This was under the supervision of a juvenile, bald eagle. Jeroen was amazed at the extraordinary situation after Jeroen observed that the eagle had been sat in this pine tree for several hours.

Zhang Qiang was visiting China's Qinling Mountains to observe the behaviour of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey. When it is time to rest, the females and young huddle together for warmth and protection. This image perfectly captures that moment of intimacy. The young monkey's unmistakable blue face nestled in between two females, their striking golden-orange fur dappled in light

Zhang Qiang had been visiting China’s Qinling Mountains for the purpose of observing the Sichuan snubnosed monkeys. The females and the young gather together to provide warmth and protection when it’s time for rest. That moment of intimacy is captured perfectly in this photo. You can see the unmistakable blue features of this young monkey nestled between two females with their striking golden-orange fur.

Dozens of plains zebra had showed up to drink at Okaukuejo waterhole in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Packed closely together and moving as one, the zebra lowered their heads to get water and, almost immediately, robotically lifted them again to scan for danger. This went on for five minutes. Focusing hard, Lucas's aim was to capture only one with its head up and, just before the herd left, he got the image he thinks best showcases these iconic black-and-white striped animals

Many plains zebras had gathered at Okaukuejo, Etosha National park, Namibia to get water. As one unit, they moved together tightly and lowered their heads in order to drink water. Then, nearly immediately after drinking, they lifted their heads and searched for danger. For five minutes, this continued. Lucas concentrated hard to focus on one animal with its head down. Just before they left Lucas captured the photo he believes best captures the iconic black-and white striped animals.

For grizzly bears of the spot on the Fishing Branch River in Yukon, Canada this open water offers a final chance to feast before hibernating. It was averaging around -30°C (-22°F) and Andy had been waiting and hoping that one particular female bear would use this log to cross the stream. Eventually she did just that and he got the picture he'd envisioned ¿ her fur, wet from fishing, had frozen into icicles and 'you could hear them tinkle as she walked past'

The open water provides a final opportunity for the grizzly bees on the Fishing Branch River, Yukon, Canada to feast before hibernating. It was averaging around -30°C (-22°F) and Andy had been waiting and hoping that one particular female bear would use this log to cross the stream. Eventually she did just that and he got the picture he’d envisioned – her fur, wet from fishing, had frozen into icicles and ‘you could hear them tinkle as she walked past’

During a visit to the Maasai Mara, Kenya, Ashleigh McCord captured this tender moment between a pair of male lions. At first, she had been taking pictures of only one of the lions, and the rain was just a light sprinkle, although the second had briefly approached and greeted his companion before choosing to walk away. But as the rain turned into a heavy downpour, the second male returned and sat, positioning his body as if to shelter the other. Shortly after they rubbed faces and continued to sit nuzzling for some time

During a visit to the Maasai Mara, Kenya, Ashleigh McCord captured this tender moment between a pair of male lions. She was initially only taking photos of one of the male lions. The rain had just stopped briefly, but the second male lion had briefly approached her and welcomed her before deciding to move on. The rain became a torrential downpour and the second male returned to sit, as though he was trying to protect the other. They rubbed their faces shortly after that and continued nuzzling for a while.

Peter looked on as a herd of elephants closed ranks, pushing their young into the middle of the group for protection. A bull elephant had been trying to separate a newborn calf from its mother. Peter was photographing the herd in Addo Elephant Reserve, South Africa, when the newborn let out a shriek. The herd reacted instantly ¿ blowing loud calls, flapping ears and then surrounding the young and reaching out their trunks for reassurance

Peter watched in amazement as the herd of elephants stood close to him, pushing their young into central group protection. One bull elephant tried to take a baby calf away from his mother. Peter was taking photographs of the Addo Elephant Reserve in South Africa when the baby let out an audible scream. The herd reacted instantly – blowing loud calls, flapping ears and then surrounding the young and reaching out their trunks for reassurance

Jan took great pleasure in watching this blackbird from his front door, in his home-town of Greifswald, Germany. It was spring and the blackbird had chosen an old garden hut in which to build her nest. Quietly and secretly she raised her young in this garden idyll. With this image Jan wanted to highlight that we don¿t have to go far to experience the beauty of nature ¿ sometimes something as simple as a blackbird making her home in a rundown hut is enough

Jan enjoyed watching the blackbird fly by his front door in Greifswald. It was spring, and the blackbird decided to make her nest in an old garden shed. She raised her children in the garden paradise, quietly and secretly. With this image Jan wanted to highlight that we don’t have to go far to experience the beauty of nature – sometimes something as simple as a blackbird making her home in a rundown hut is enough

The Clark¿s grebes on Ly¿s local lake in San Diego, California, USA, hadn¿t nested for a few years, and he wasn¿t sure if the unusually hot and dry weather they¿d been experiencing was to blame. Then in 2017 California had twice its normal annual rainfall. With the lakes full, the grebes started to build nests and lay eggs again. They build floating nests at the edge of shallow water among the reeds or rushes. The chicks hitch a cosy ride on a parent¿s back soon after hatching. This picture was taken a few days after a storm which sadly washed away almost all of the grebes nests

California received twice as much rainfall in 2017 than it receives each year. When the lakes were full, the grebes constructed nests and laid eggs. They made floating nests near the bottom of the shallow water, between the rushes or reeds. In this picture, the chicks hitch a cosy ride on a parent’s back soon after hatching. The picture was taken just a few days following a severe storm, which unfortunately washed out almost all the grebe nests.

Santa Croce Lake is a natural lake located in the province of Belluno, Italy. In winter 2019 Cristiano noticed the water was unusually high and the willow plants were partially submerged, creating a play of light and reflections. Waiting for colder conditions he captured the scene in icy stillness

Santa Croce Lake can be found in Belluno Province, Italy. Cristiano noted that the water level was unusually high in winter 2019, and that the willow plants had been partially submerged. This created a beautiful play of light reflections. In the icy stillness, he waited to capture it in colder temperatures.

Michiel took this photo of Dantita, as she is fondly known, at the foothills of Braulio Carrillo National Park, close to San José in central Costa Rica. The Baird¿s tapir or ¿gardeners of the forest¿ are extremely important to their natural habitat, with some seeds only germinating after passing through the animal. But due to threats from deforestation and hunting, there are estimated to be only 6,000 individuals left in the wild

Michiel took this photo of Dantita, as she is fondly known, at the foothills of Braulio Carrillo National Park, close to San José in central Costa Rica. The Baird’s tapir or ‘gardeners of the forest’ are extremely important to their natural habitat, with some seeds only germinating after passing through the animal. There are only about 6,000 wild Baird’s tapirs left, with the rest being endangered by hunting and deforestation.

Satyr tragopans, a rare species of Asian pheasant, are widely hunted for food and plumage, and are normally skittish and very shy. But in this village near Punakha, Bhutan, the birds appear at ease and perfectly relaxed in the presence of the people who live there. Dhritiman had been trying to photograph the satyr tragopan in India since 2008, but the birds would always run away the minute they spotted him. Upon hearing of communities in Bhutan coexisting harmoniously with the species he knew he had to witness it for himself

Satyr tragopans are a very rare Asian pheasant species. They are often hunted for their plumage and food, but are usually shy and skittish. The birds seem relaxed and at ease in this Bhutanese village, near Punakha. Dhritiman attempted to photograph the Indian satyrtragopan since 2008 but was unsuccessful. The birds ran away every time he was spotted. He was struck by the harmonious coexistence of Bhutanese communities and their species.

While out on a night walk in the Amazon rainforest near Tena, Ecuador, Javier spotted this little female thorned heart orb weaver spider delicately constructing her egg case. Hanging from a strong silk thread, these female spiders spend hours encasing their eggs in a silken cocoon, which may contain up to several hundred eggs. On this dark night, the egg case resembled a pearly white full moon

Javier noticed this female thorned orb weaver spider while out walking in the Amazon rainforest close to Tena. These female spiders hang from strong silk threads and spend hours wrapping their eggs in silken cocoons. The egg case looked like a full moon on a dark night.

Marco Gaiotti was watching this little Arctic fox as it incessantly called another nearby. Gradually he noticed the fox¿s wet breath was quickly freezing in the air after each call. It was late winter in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, and the cold arctic air was -35°C (-31°F). Photographing arctic foxes is often frustrating, as they are normally running around fast in search of food, but this one was very relaxed and let Marco get close enough to focus on it, with the light glowing perfectly in the background

Marco Gaiotti was watching the little Arctic Fox call another one nearby. He noticed that the wet breath of the fox was freezing in the air immediately after every call. It was late winter in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, and the cold arctic air was -35°C (-31°F). Although arctic foxes are often fast-paced and looking for food, it can sometimes be difficult to photograph them. This one, however, was relaxed enough that Marco could get near enough to capture the details. Marco also had the perfect background light.

Here, in a forest enclosure, a keeper takes care of babies ¿ they are encouraged to mix with others of a similar age, make nests and forage for food. Due to overexploitation ¿ industrial logging and land clearing for plantation development ¿ the rainforests of Borneo are disappearing fast. This means endemic species such as the orangutan are under serious threat. International Animal Rescue rehabilitates orphaned or injured orangutans

Here, in a forest enclosure, a keeper takes care of babies – they are encouraged to mix with others of a similar age, make nests and forage for food. Due to overexploitation – industrial logging and land clearing for plantation development – the rainforests of Borneo are disappearing fast. Endangered species, such as the orangutan, are at grave risk. International Animal Rescue helps orphaned and injured orangutans

2020 saw fires in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands more than double year on year from 2019 and roughly 80 per cent of Encontros das Águas State Park was burnt. The park is known for its large jaguar population and Ernane was there documenting the fires when this jaguar and his brother crossed the Rio Três Irmãos (Three Brothers River) nearby. After reaching the opposite bank, the jaguar rolled in the ash left behind by the desolation of days before, leaving only his face uncovered, his now black body mirroring his charred surroundings

2020 saw fires in Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands more than double year on year from 2019 and roughly 80 per cent of Encontros das Águas State Park was burnt. The park is known for its large jaguar population and Ernane was there documenting the fires when this jaguar and his brother crossed the Rio Três Irmãos (Three Brothers River) nearby. Once he reached the opposite bank, the jaguar turned in the ash that had been left by days of desolation, leaving just his face and black body.

Taking care of a young orangutan requires a lot of energy. Maxime spent more than one hour observing this mother in the Pinus Jantho Nature Reserve of Sumatra, Indonesia, trying to keep her excitable baby with her in the nest. Since 2011 the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program has released more than 120 confiscated apes into the reserve. This mother, Marconi, was once held captive as an illegal pet, but was nursed back to health and released in 2011. In 2017 she was spotted with a wild born baby, Masen, a symbol of hope for the future population

You need to be very energetic in order to take care of an orangutan youngster. Maxime spent over one hour with this mother, Pinus Jantho Nature Reserve, Sumatra, Indonesia. Maxime tried to help her calm the baby. More than 120 Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program apes have been released into this reserve. Marconi was once a captive animal, but she was returned to good health, and was released back into the wild in 2011. Her 2017 sighting with Masen, a wild-born baby, was an act of hope for the future.

Jo-Anne McArthur flew to Australia in early 2020 to document the stories of animals affected by the devastating bushfires that were sweeping through the states of New South Wales and Victoria. Working alongside Animals Australia, an animal protection organisation, she was given access to burn sites, rescues and veterinary missions. This eastern grey kangaroo and her joey pictured near Mallacoota, Victoria, were among the lucky ones

Jo-Anne McArthur flew from Australia to record the stories of the animals that had been affected by devastating bushfires in Victoria and New South Wales. She was able to access burn areas, rescues, and veterinary missions while working alongside Animals Australia. The lucky ones were this eastern grey kangaroo, and her joey, pictured in Mallacoota (Victoria).

Karl was in the Cairngorms, Scotland, with a friend who took him to a forest where red squirrels were used to being fed. They placed hazelnuts on opposite branches of two trees and Karl then positioned his camera on a tripod between the branches facing the direction a squirrel might jump. Setting his camera to automatic focus, he waited in camouflage gear behind a tree, holding a remote control. After less than an hour, two squirrels appeared

Karl went to the Cairngorms in Scotland with his friend. He took Karl to a forest that red squirrels frequent. Karl placed hazelnuts in opposite directions on two branches and then set his tripod so that the camera was facing the direction where a squirrel would jump. He set his camera to auto focus and hid behind the tree with a remote control. In less than an hour two squirrels had appeared.

A female giant anteater was foraging around a huge open plain very late one afternoon in the Pantanal, Brazil, when Wim suddenly noticed she had a youngster on her back. He instinctively grabbed his camera and slowly crept up to a termite mound in the distance, which was in the general direction she was moving in. Sitting quietly he waited for her to make her way over

Wim noticed a female giant anteater foraging on a vast open area in Brazil’s Pantanal late at night when she suddenly realized that there was a baby girl. Wim instinctively reached for his camera, and he slowly crept towards a termite mound which was located in her direction. He sat still and watched as she made her way to him.

Jaime watched on as Federico Mosquera, a biologist from the Omacha Foundation, Colombia, soothed an Amazon river dolphin. These dolphins are extremely tactile animals and direct contact calms them ¿ keeping them hydrated when out of the water is also extremely important. The team from Omacha and WWF were transporting the dolphin to a temporary veterinarian facility in Puerto Nariño, Colombia, to install a GPS tag in its dorsal fin. The project is part of a broader scientific attempt to understand river dolphin health and migratory patterns

Jaime observed as Federico Mosquera (a Colombian biologist) soothed a river dolphin in the Amazon. These dolphins are extremely tactile animals and direct contact calms them – keeping them hydrated when out of the water is also extremely important. The team from Omacha and WWF were transporting the dolphin to a temporary veterinarian facility in Puerto Nariño, Colombia, to install a GPS tag in its dorsal fin. It is part of larger scientific efforts to study river dolphin health as well as migratory patterns.