Lynx Photo Wins Wildlife Competition
Why this is here: The winning photograph captured 20 minutes of unique behavior—a lynx repeatedly throwing and catching its prey—highlighting a rare moment of playfulness in a critically endangered species.
A playful Iberian lynx captured mid-play has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award 2026. Austrian photographer Josef Stefan took the winning photo, titled “Flying Rodent,” in Spain’s Ciudad Real province. The lynx was observed throwing and catching its prey for roughly 20 minutes.
The Iberian lynx was nearly extinct in the early 2000s, with fewer than 100 individuals. Conservation efforts have increased the population to over 2,000, though it remains a vulnerable species.
The award received a record-breaking 85,917 votes from wildlife fans worldwide. The winning image, along with four highly commended images, will be displayed at London’s Natural History Museum until July 12, 2026.