By Jessica Stewart on August 9, 2023

“The Things You Do for Love” by Amit Eshel. Winner, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat“  Looks like the set for the next Mission Impossible, but for Nubian Ibexes, the high-altitude rocky terrains are home. The vulnerable ibex species is known for many things–large semi-circular horns, the ability to scale mountains with ease and the territorial fights that males engage in during the rutting season. Displays of dominance begin with showing off their impressive horns. If that doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to escalate by pushing and shoving the opponent and literally locking horns with them. Ibexes also stand on their hind legs as they get ready to strike.”

These winning photos were selected from 24,000 images of wildlife submitted by over 1,500 photographers, and they do not disappoint.

The 2023 Nature inFocus Photography Awards recently announced its winners during a ceremony held in Bangalore, India. The winners were selected from 24,000 images of wildlife submitted by over 1,500 photographers. In the end, filmmaker and conservationist Srikanth Mannepuri was named Photographer of the Year for a portfolio of images that highlight the threats facing mangrove forests along the coast of India.

Photographers from around the globe were invited to submit their best photography to six categories—Animal Portraits, Animal Behaviour, Conservation Focus, Creative Nature Photography, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat, and Photographer of the Year – Portfolio. While the contest’s origins are in India, this year’s competition saw increased participation from international photographers.

A Love Like No Other” by Afroj Sheikh. Winner, Animal Behaviour.
“Caught in the crosshairs of a hungry leopard, the vulnerable mother and baby langur had little chance of survival. The hunt and the chase had led the predator and prey up a tree before the mother succumbed to the suffocating hold of the large cat. But in embracing death, the mother was able to save her offspring.”

“The Nature inFocus Photography Awards has grown to become a meeting place for national and international photographers,” says Rohit Varma, one of the founders of Nature inFocus. “Every year, we see images that reveal new facets of our natural world while shining a light on pertinent global conservation issues. We are thrilled to see the growth in the number of participants and the geographical locations. It truly has become an international platform for wildlife photographers!”[…]

The Bonobo and His Pet” by Christian Ziegler. Winner, Animal Portraits.
“The last great ape to be described, the Bonobo, is one of our closest living relatives. Here, a wild Bonobo who caught a mongoose pup is looking after it like a pet. He later released the animal unharmed. This behavior has only been recorded once before by Prof Barbara Fruth at this site.”

More: Exceptional Winners of the 2023 Nature inFocus Photography Awards