Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition Opens at ROM This Fall

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announced that it will present the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 exhibition from November 7, 2026, to February 28, 2027. This internationally touring exhibition will make its first North American stop at ROM, featuring 100 stunning photographs that capture the diversity and beauty of the natural world.

The images were chosen from a record-breaking 65,403 entries submitted by photographers worldwide. Among the highlights is the winning photograph by Federico Veronesi from Italy, titled The Aftermath, which depicts an elephant carrying a deceased calf. This powerful image earned him the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 title.

The Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award went to Oscar Whitfield, representing Britain and Zimbabwe, for his photograph Labour of Love. This image captures the intense effort of a dung beetle pushing its precious cargo, illustrating the intricate details of wildlife behaviour.

Canadian photographers are well represented in the exhibition. Shane Gross from British Columbia received recognition for two images: a split-image view of a school of bigeye trevally fish and a photograph of a male plainfin midshipman fish guarding its brood. Gil Wizen, who holds Canadian and Israeli citizenship, contributed a close-up image of a rare lichen dragon katydid found in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, with Canadian and German ties, was awarded the Rising Star Award for a series of detailed entomology photographs. Additionally, Danijel Djurovic, a Canadian-Montenegrin photographer, is featured in the youth category (ages 15–17) with a striking black-and-white portrait of a snarling lion.

This exhibition marks the 14th consecutive year that ROM has hosted the Wildlife Photographer of the Year images, continuing its commitment to showcasing global wildlife photography. The collection not only celebrates artistic achievement but also serves as a reminder of the environmental challenges facing the planet and the responsibility to protect it.

Visitors to ROM this fall will have the opportunity to experience these extraordinary photographs firsthand, gaining insight into the wonders of nature and the urgent need for conservation efforts.