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WA photographer Georgina Steytler has won a category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards 2025 in London. Georgina’s winning image, which was judged best globally in the invertebrates behaviour category, is of a gumleaf skeletoniser (Uraba lugens), also known as the mad hatterpillar. It was taken in Albany. Each time the mad hatterpillar sheds its skin, it piles its previous heads on top of each other. Georgina was also awarded one of four highly commended prizes in the bird behaviour category with her image of a satin bowerbird rebuilding its destroyed bower. It was photographed in Lamington National Park, Queensland. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards is the biggest, most prestigious wildlife photography competition in the world. Developed by London’s Natural History Museum in 1965, the annual contest is now in its sixth decade. It received more than 60,000 entries this year from photographers in more than 100 countries. The competition celebrates the beauty, diversity and complexity of the natural world. The subtext is the need for its protection. The pictures have to be pure — raw files, with only minor editing adjustments allowed. Winning images are included in an annual exhibition at the Natural History Museum. Thousands of visitors attend there, before the exhibition travels internationally. It is the third time Georgina has placed in the awards. + In 2018 she won the invertebrates behaviour category with her image of mud-rolling mud-daubers rolling balls of mud. + In 2024, she received one of four highly commended awards in the invertebrates behaviour category, with her image of several Dawson’s burrowing bees in a mating ball. Georgina says: “It’s an incredible honour and such a pinch-me moment. “I see this as an amazing opportunity to showcase the unique array of Australia’s quirky creatures on a global platform. “Before my beloved dad, George, passed away in April this year, I had the chance to tell him about this win in advance, and to see the pride he felt was a moment I will never forget.“ Georgina is a dedicated nature photographer, with more than 17 years professional experience, and is a long-time friend of Travel. With a passion for birds, ethics and conservation, Georgina deeply values the unique beauty and ecological importance of Australia’s flora and fauna. Her images serve as both artistic expression and a powerful tool for advocacy and education. georginasteytler.com.au + The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards’ overall winner was Wim van den Heever with an image of a brown hyena in Namibia. nhm.ac.uk/wpy + Ross Gudgeon of Baldivis was highly commended in the natural artistry category. Ross was also recently named Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year. His work is in the awards’ exhibition at the South Australian Museum until February 1, 2026, next year (exhibition entry $12 for adults; $10 for concessions). The exhibition will also be at the Australian Museum in Sydney from October 25, 2025, to February 15, 2026.
