Playful Iberian Lynx Eclipses Competition with Captivating Capture

Wed Mar 25 2026 20:44:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A stunning image of a young Iberian lynx has won the People's Choice Award at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Captured by Josef Stefan, the image showcases the playful antics of the lynx in Spain.

Josef Stefan's remarkable photograph of a young Iberian lynx has claimed the People's Choice Award at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition. The photo, titled 'Flying Rodent', features the lynx engaging in play with its prey, a moment crafted after days of careful observation. This win highlights both the artistic talents within wildlife photography and the ongoing conservation efforts for the Iberian lynx, a species that has shown remarkable recovery from near extinction.

A Playful Iberian Lynx Eclipses Competition with Captivating Capture

A young Iberian lynx caught mid-play has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award 2026. The striking image, titled Flying Rodent, was taken by Austrian photographer Josef Stefan during a two-week stay in Torre de Juan Abad, in Spain's Ciudad Real province.

During his time, Stefan spent several days in a hide when the young lynx appeared with its prey and began repeatedly throwing it into the air and catching it again. To me, it looked as if the rodent could fly, he said. This delightful moment lasted nearly 20 minutes before the lynx became distracted and carried its prey away to eat.

The Iberian lynx is one of the world's rarest wildcats and faced extinction with under 100 individuals in the early 2000s. Thanks to long-term conservation efforts, their population has rebounded to over 2,000, yet they remain vulnerable.

This year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award received a record-breaking 85,917 votes from wildlife photography enthusiasts worldwide. In addition to Stefan's winning image, four other finalists were recognized for their remarkable contributions to wildlife photography. All five will be displayed online and at London's Natural History Museum until the exhibition closes on July 12, 2026.