Iberian Lynx Photo Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award 2026
A captivating image of an Iberian lynx playfully tossing its prey into the air has been crowned the winner of the Nuveen People’s Choice Award 2026, as announced on March 25, 2026. The photograph, titled “Flying Rodent,” was taken by Austrian photographer Josef Stefan and garnered the most votes in a public poll with over 85,000 participants worldwide. Natural History Museum
A Moment of Playful Predation
Stefan captured the remarkable scene during a two-week stay in Torre de Juan Abad, Ciudad Real province, Spain. BBC News He spent several days observing the young Iberian lynx from a hide when the animal suddenly appeared with its prey and began repeatedly throwing it into the air and catching it again. The lynx continued this behavior for nearly 20 minutes, often standing on its hind legs even as fixated on the rodent. BBC News Stefan described the scene as making the rodent appear to “fly.”
The Iberian Lynx: A Conservation Success Story
The Iberian lynx, once on the brink of extinction in the early 2000s with fewer than 100 individuals remaining, is now classified as a vulnerable species, though its population has rebounded to over 2,000 thanks to dedicated conservation and reintroduction efforts. BBC News This makes the photograph not only a stunning visual but also a symbol of successful wildlife preservation.
Record-Breaking Public Vote
The Nuveen People’s Choice Award received a record-breaking 85,917 votes from wildlife photography and nature enthusiasts around the globe. BBC News In addition to Stefan’s winning image, four other finalists received high commendation, and all five images will be displayed online and at the Natural History Museum in London until July 12, 2026. BBC News
Other Finalists
The competition showcased a diverse range of wildlife photography, including images of a marvellous spatuletail hummingbird in Peru, a brown-throated three-toed sloth mother and child in Costa Rica, and young kestrels preparing to fly in Germany. CNN
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