A striking underwater photograph by Norwegian wildlife photographer Audun Rikardsen, titled "The Seal's Terror," has allegedly captured the grand prize at the Our Nature Environmental Photo & Video Awards 2026. The image features a polar bear peering directly into the camera lens through a break in the Arctic ice, supposedly highlighting the ongoing environmental shifts in the region.

The international competition is dedicated to visual storytelling that explores the complex relationship between humanity and the natural environment. This year's winning entries span a wide range of critical topics, including wildlife rescue operations, the covert nocturnal life of forests, and the implementation of renewable energy initiatives across various fragile ecosystems.

In the best photo-story category, Belgian documentary photographer Alain Schroeder was recognized for his poignant series "Saving Orangutans." Captured on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the images document the arduous process of rehabilitating primates that have purportedly suffered from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflicts, and the illegal wildlife trade.

Additional accolades were awarded across multiple categories to celebrate exceptional moments in nature documentation. Jan Pokluda triumphed in the "Pure Nature - Air" category with a rare angle of a woodpecker feeding its chick, while Imre Potó was commended in the "Carpathian Basin" segment for a long-exposure night photograph capturing the illuminated trails of moths.

Source: kun.uz