Winner Wildlife Category, Giant Toddler / Tobias Radmer
I was incredibly happy to observe and photograph this iconic moment in nature when I was walking along a footpatch in Copenhagen and heard an odd bird calling in the shrubbery. I managed to get a look, and to my surprise I saw a cuckoo chick! I spent several hours there attempting to find holes through the branches, and I came home with some of the most interesting animal behaviour photos I have ever taken! I love these images to remember my own experience by, but I also think they effectively tell a story of brood parasitism. Cuckoos are generally considered a bioindicator of high bird species richness, and the presence of this chick in central Copenhagen is a nice reminder that urban pockets of nature are not just pretty for our sake, but functional. I think that is animal welfare against all odds!
Judge’s Evaluation:
The photograph captures an interesting interaction between a cuckoo chick and a reed warbler, illustrating brood parasitism and the different behaviors of the two species. The contrast between the calm cuckoo and the active warbler emphasizes their ecological roles. Soft light, a blurred background, and diagonal framing focus attention on the interaction. The image documents genuine behavior with strong timing and sharp detail, especially in the cuckoo. Both birds appear undisturbed, with no signs of stress or nest disturbance, and the use of a telephoto lens allows the scene to be recorded naturally from a distance. Overall, the image combines strong composition and storytelling.
Winner Domestic Animals Category, Herd Harmony / Marjut Turunen
Lohja, Finland, autumn 2021. Mobile phone photo. An elderly horse had drifted into his own world, unaware that it was time for feeding. I went to fetch him from the far end of the pasture, and for a moment we walked side by side. Then he continued alone toward his herd, which was already calling for him. The herd was close-knit, aware of the one missing member. In the large pasture, the horses can live in a way that best allows their species-typical behavior within the limits of human-made structures.
Judge’s Evaluation: The photograph captures the most important elements of a horse’s life: the companionship of other horses, freedom to move in nature, the ability to make choices, and the opportunity to graze. Well-being is an individual experience of one’s state of being, built from moments. It is easy to imagine that this is a moment the horse itself would consider a good one.
The audience vote winner Wildlife Category, Wings of the Lake / Harini Karunarathna
This picture was taken in Vähäjärvi (Pirkkala, Finland) on the 14th of April 2026. The picture was taken with Canon EOS RP with EF70-200mm f/2.8 lens at 190mm, 1/1000sec, f/2.8, ISO 200. Swans are a symbol of grace, trust, and quiet strength, moving through their world with a sense of calm dignity. In a fairly populated area in Finland, the swan seemed to be undisturbed, stretching its wings in a moment of complete ease. This image reflects animal welfare emphasising that it is not only about protection from harm, but also is preservation of environments where wildlife can exist without fear, express natural behavior, and continue to trust the world around them. It is a reminder that we have not entirely diminished nature; this undisturbed beauty still lives among us, and it is our responsibility to ensure it always will.
The audience vote winner Domestic Animals Category, Hertta, Child of Spring / Maarit Laakso
Hertta Hillevi is the sweetest senior dog in the world, a little over 13 years old. Hertta is truly a child of spring and summer — after the long winter, she seems to come back to life. Her eyes shine with joy when she gets to go to the cottage and enjoy the light, sunshine, warmth, and the scents of the garden. Hertta is enjoying the golden years of her life, surrounded by her deeply loving family and the simple pleasures of outdoor life and garden chores. The photograph was taken at the family cottage in May 2025.