Animals

Every year, countless stunning images are submitted to photography competitions around the world. From cosmic structures to microscopic marvels and everything in between, here is a snapshot of the most awe-inspiring photographs of 2023.

A kangaroo riffing on his air guitar, a sentient snowball, a face-planting seabird, a comically depressed owl and a twinkle-toed otter are among the funny, candid images that shone brightest in this much-loved, feel-good wildlife photography contest.

Mangroves may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a forest, but they're both incredible, unique ecosystems and serve as a structural and water-cleaning coastguard. These photos capture the wondrous, otherworldly ecosystems.

It's one of the biggest and most treasured photography contests on the planet, and this year attracted a massive 49,957 entries. But there could be only a handful of winners. We present the standouts, offering a rare glimpse into the natural world.

The shortlist for the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards is in, showcasing grin-tastic animal antics captured by nature-loving snappers around the globe – including a dove getting rewarded for not paying attention, and a kangaroo rocking out on air guitar.

Hog barns typically aren't the nicest places to be at the best of times, but try living in one during a heat wave. Scientists at Indiana's Purdue University have developed a self-activating hog-cooling pad for just such situations.

In an effort to keep livestock safe from coyotes while not harming the predators themselves, researchers ran experiments with a remote-controlled vehicle. The solution worked, hinting at a future in which robot ranch hands could work night patrol.

Sadly, this is not a rollercoaster for horses. And despite its dystopian hover-chariot looks, it's actually designed to be a kinder and safer way to prepare young horses for the often-damaging shock of beginning a race training program.

If you’re a farmer with a herd of hundreds of cows, keeping tabs on them can be tricky work, but we’ve seen how sensor tags might one day ease the burden. New research has demonstrated how smartwatch-style sensors could be powered by animal movement.

From a shy raccoon waving hello, to a penguin that's had enough of its friend's squawking, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Award finalists have again delivered a most entertaining array of hilarious animal antics.

Presented by the California Academy of Sciences, the BigPicture Competition annually delivers an incredible collection of nature photographs. This year’s shots span from a bizarre cactus bee mating ritual to a surreal glimpse at a sea star spawning.

A team of researchers has reported the development of an algorithm that can translate the emotional state of pigs from the sound of their grunts. The researchers indicate the system could be used to monitor the well-being of pigs on a farm in real-time.