National Geographic unveiled its Pictures of the Year. Here are 7 of the most stunning wildlife photos.

Talia LakritzJan 15, 2024, 07:47 IST

Field specialists examine a North Island brown kiwi.Robin Hammond/National Geographic

National Geographic revealed its 29 Pictures of the Year in the December 2023 issue.
The photos show stunning images of nature, scientific advancements, and human-interest stories.

National Geographic revealed its Pictures of the Year in the magazine's December 2023 issue.

The images, spanning categories such as nature, scientific advancements, and human interest, "unearth remarkable, rarely seen moments," according to National Geographic.

Take a look at seven of the best wildlife photos from the stunning collection.

National Geographic's December 2023 issue highlights the magazine's Pictures of the Year.

National Geographic's December 2023 cover.National Geographic

The 29 photos were chosen from over 2 million images by 165 photographers.

Marine biologist Alexander Semenov photographed a lion's mane jellyfish in the Arctic Sea.

A lion's mane jellyfish.Alexander Semenov/National Geographic

After reproducing, lion's mane jellyfish shrink and shed their tentacles. Semenov photographed the underwater creature in this final stage of life.

At Lemek Conservancy in Kenya's Maasai Mara national reserve, Jen Guyton photographed hyenas arriving at a pond to drink.

Hyenas at Lemek Conservancy in Kenya.Jen Guyton/National Geographic

Guyton took the photo with an armored, remote-controlled robot designed by National Geographic photo engineers.

Field specialists in New Zealand examined a North Island brown kiwi in this photo by Robin Hammond.

Field specialists examine a North Island brown kiwi.Robin Hammond/National Geographic

A national symbol of New Zealand, 11 kiwis were released into the wild as part of efforts to preserve the population of the bird, which is classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

A national symbol of New Zealand, 11 kiwis were released into the wild as part of efforts to preserve the population of the bird, which is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Brent Stirton's image captured elephants wandering a tea estate in India.

Elephants wander a tea estate.Brent Stirton/National Geographic

The hilltop tea estate had previously been part of the elephants' forest habitat.

Look closely in Jaime Rojo's photo to spot the thousands of monarch butterflies crowded together on sunlit fir trees.

El Rosario Sanctuary.Jaime Rojo/National Geographic

The butterflies huddle together for warmth in El Rosario Sanctuary in Mexico.

David Doubilet photographed this 7-foot-long zebra shark at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois.

A zebra shark at Shedd Aquarium.David Doubilet/National Geographic

The endangered species will eventually be released into a protected area in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Carsten Peter captured a team of explorers spelunking in the toxic waters of Lago Verde in Italy.

Lago Verde.Carsten Peter/National Geographic

Caver Valentina Mariani (top), National Geographic explorer Kenny Broad (center), and Nadir Quarta studied the unique ecosystem for clues about how life evolved on Earth — and how it could exist within seas on other planets.

To see all 29 of National Geographic's Pictures of the Year, visit NatGeo.com.

Penguins arguing, a sleepy polar bear, and a happy turtle are in the running for wildlife photo of the year, and you can vote on them

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