"A male orangutan peers from behind a tree while crossing a river in Borneo, Indonesia. Rampant palm oil cultivation threatens this critically endangered ape, forcing the normally arboreal species to resort to unusual behavior—such as wading through crocodile-infested rivers—in order to survive."
Grand Prize Winner: Face to Face in a River in Borneo
"A male orangutan peers from behind a tree while crossing a river in Borneo, Indonesia. Rampant palm oil cultivation threatens this critically endangered ape, forcing the normally arboreal species to resort to unusual behavior—such as wading through crocodile-infested rivers—in order to survive."
- Photo Contest
2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Winners
Explore the most compelling photos submitted to the photo contest.
From flowing lava in Hawai’i to sharks grazing a camera, photographers submitted mesmerizing images to the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Contest. A stirring image of an orangutan captured the judges' top vote and won grand prize. Browse this gallery of winning photos and visit our contest homepage to explore even more photography.
