Year in wildlife
We look back over the year’s wildlife photographs, and hand out some much-deserved gongs to brilliant and beautiful creatures around the world
TL;DR
- Wildcats released in the Scottish Highlands are showing signs of recovery with new litters born.
- A new species of deep-sea snailfish was discovered off the coast of California.
- Ospreys returned to their nests in Scotland, with one male showing dedicated parenting.
- Grey seal pupping season concluded in Norfolk with over 3,000 pups born.
- Various animals, including a fox, squirrels, and elephants, were involved in unusual or attention-grabbing incidents.
- New insect species were discovered, including a potentially the heaviest in Australia.
- Animals in the US, such as a baby vulture and a raccoon, required hand-feeding and rescue.
- Wildlife in Australia faced challenges, with flying foxes injured by hailstones and koalas displaced by deforestation.
- Polar bears were observed on Kolyuchin Island, Russia.
- Nutrias were spotted in Paris, France, noted for the iron content in their teeth.
- A runaway zebra in Tennessee became an internet sensation before being captured.
- Koalas in Australia are facing displacement due to the clearing of blue gum plantations.
- Giraffes in Kenya were relocated due to habitat deterioration.
- Leopard cub rescues occurred in Pakistan amidst a rise in leopard killings.
- Green sea turtle hatchlings faced perilous journeys on Heron Island, Australia.
- Frogs emerged for mating season in Ireland.
- Snow monkeys enjoyed hot spring baths in Japan.
- Capybaras were seen covered in slime in Argentina/Uruguay.
- Père David's deer were observed squabbling in China.
- Tortoises and pelicans were spotted in markets and parks respectively.