Stunning nature photos featured at Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind. Selected by a panel of six judges, the exhibition features 100 of the best photos, two grand title winners, and winners in several categories including youth categories from photographers as young as 10 and under. 

Scroll down to see some of the incredible photos from this year's exhibition.

Memorial to a Species — Grand title winner for 2017

Memorial to a Species, shot by photojournalist Brent Stirton, is the grand title winner for 2017 (the poignant image also won the Wildlife Photojournalist Award: Story category).

Taken as part of an undercover investigation into the illegal rhino horn trade, Brent Stirton's winning image tells the evocative story of one of the trade's latest victims — a black rhino bull from South Africa's Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. It is suspected that the killers came from a local community approximately five kilometres away, entering the park illegally, shooting the rhino at a water hole with a high-powered, silenced hunting rifle.

The hairy raincoat — Finalist, 11-14 years old

Canadian wildlife photographer Josiah Launstein, 12, took this stunning shot of a caterpillar on a rainy day in northern Thailand. "I wanted the picture to be all about the raindrops in its hair," said Launstein. "I love how the water drops and hair clusters make it look like water is squirting out of it like little fountains."

Launstein was also a two-time finalist in the 10 and Under category in 2015 and was named Young Outdoor Photographer of the Year in 2014.

Contemplation — Winner, Animal Portraits

The night raider — Winner, Animals in their Environment

Giant gathering — Winner, Behaviour: Mammals

The incubator bird — Winner, Behaviour: Birds

The ancient ritual — Winner, Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles

Crab surprise — Winner, Behaviour: Invertebrates

The grip of the gulls — Winner, 10 years and under

Palm-oil survivors — Winner, Wildlife Photojournalist: Single Image

Tapestry of life — Winner, Plants and Fungi

Stuck in — Winner, 11-14 years old

The ice monster — Winner, Earth's Environments

The jellyfish jockey — Winner, Underwater

Polar pas de deux — Winner, Black and White

Experience it yourself

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit will run at the Royal Ontario Museum from Dec. 16 to March 18 and will also be on display at the Royal B.C. Museum until April 2.