Iberian Lynx Photo Wins Nuveen People’s Choice Award 2026 OR Playful Lynx Photo Crowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 OR Iberian Lynx: Stunning Photo Celebrates Conservation Success

A photograph capturing a moment of playful ferocity in the natural world has resonated with audiences globally, earning Austrian photographer Josef Stefan the Nuveen People’s Choice Award 2026 at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His image, titled “Flying Rodent,” depicts a young Iberian lynx tossing its prey into the air, a behavior common to the species, before ultimately consuming it. The winning photograph was selected from a shortlist of 24 images, chosen from an initial entry pool of over 60,000 submissions from 113 countries and territories.

The image’s appeal lies not only in its striking composition but also in its representation of a conservation success story. The Iberian lynx, once teetering on the brink of extinction, has seen a remarkable resurgence thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. In the early 2000s, the population dwindled to around 100 individuals, with only 62 considered mature enough to breed. Factors contributing to their decline included habitat loss – the disappearance of open scrubland and oak woodland – and historical persecution based on misconceptions about livestock predation. Critically, outbreaks of disease that decimated rabbit populations, the lynx’s primary food source, also played a significant role.

“They’re an amazing conservation success story,” says Dr. Natalie Cooper, a researcher at the Natural History Museum, London. “In the early 2000s only around 100 individuals were left in a few modest pockets of habitat in Spain. Only 62 of these were mature individuals.”

The turning point came in 2002 when the Iberian lynx was officially declared Critically Endangered, prompting intensified conservation initiatives. These included creating wildlife corridors to connect fragmented habitats, restoring degraded ecosystems, and implementing programs to protect rabbit populations. A highly successful captive breeding and reintroduction program was also launched, involving the careful breeding of lynx in controlled environments, followed by training the resulting kittens to hunt and avoid human contact before their release back into the wild.

The results have been dramatic. Over the past two decades, the Iberian lynx population has increased by an astonishing 1,500%, with seven new populations established across Spain and Portugal. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of scientists, government agencies, NGOs, and local communities.

“What we have is a remarkable achievement that required collaboration among scientists, government agencies, NGOs and local communities,” Dr. Cooper emphasizes. “A true example of what You can do if we work together.”

For Josef Stefan, capturing this award-winning image was the culmination of a long-held ambition. He spent two weeks observing lynx from a hide at Torre de Juan Abad in Ciudad Real, Spain, patiently waiting for the opportunity to document their behavior. He observed the young lynx playing with the rodent for approximately 20 minutes before it finally succumbed to boredom and consumed its prey.

“The Iberian lynx is a living symbol of hope, showing what can happen when we take responsibility, act consciously and focus our attention where it’s most needed,” Stefan stated. “Winning this award and being able to platform this message is the highlight of my 30 years as a nature photographer.”

The Nuveen People’s Choice Award, decided by a public vote exceeding 85,000 participants worldwide, highlights the power of imagery to connect people with the natural world and inspire conservation action. The winning image stood out among a compelling shortlist that included Alexandre Brisson’s striking photograph of flamingos juxtaposed against a backdrop of power lines in Namibia, and Christopher Paetkau’s poignant image of a mother polar bear and her cubs on the Hudson Bay coast of Canada.

Also highly commended were Will Nicholls’ image of bear cubs play-fighting in Jasper National Park, Canada, and Kohei Nagira’s photograph of a sika deer carrying the severed head of a rival male, a stark reminder of the brutal realities of nature. These images, alongside Stefan’s winning photograph, are available to view in an online gallery showcasing the best of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The success of the Iberian lynx conservation story serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved through dedicated effort and collaboration. “Flying Rodent” not only captures a fleeting moment of wild beauty but also embodies a message of hope for the future of biodiversity.