Year in wildlife in pictures

"one of 18 wildcats that were released in the Scottish Highlands, UK, in October. This is the third year that wildcats have been released into the Cairngorms national park after being declared functionally extinct in Britain in 2019. Four have died, but five litters of kittens were born this year, and seven the year before. Experts have said there is real hope for the future of wildcats in ScotlandPhotograph: Peter Cairns/Scotland Big Picture/Royal Zoological Society of Scotland/PA"

"Say hello to the bumpy snailfish a never-before-seen species of deep-sea creature photographed by a remotely operated vehicle more than 3km underwater off the coast of California. With its big blue eyes and winning smile, the little snailfish was an instant online hit in October. Asked to comment, the lead researcher told the New York Times that the newcomer was pretty adorablePhotograph: MBARI"

"Dorcha and Louis, two ospreys, on their nest at Loch Arkaig pine forest in Lochaber, Scotland, in April. Fans of the Woodland Trust's osprey cam were delighted to see them return from west Africa for the summer; Louis had been ill the year before. In 2025, he and Dorcha successfully raised two chicks, with Louis bringing an astonishing 439 fish to the nest Photograph: Woodland Trust Scotland/PA"

"a young grey seal scratches against a post in the dunes at Horsey in Norfolk, as the pupping season draws to a close at one the UK's most important sites for the mammals. Wardens from the Friends of Horsey Seals did their final count in January and announced that 3,246 pups had been born last seasonPhotograph: Joe Giddens/PA"

Eighteen wildcats were released into the Scottish Highlands in October as part of a multi-year reintroduction into the Cairngorms national park; four died but five litters of kittens were born this year and seven the year before, offering hope after functional extinction in Britain was declared in 2019. A never-before-seen bumpy snailfish was photographed more than 3km underwater off the coast of California, notable for big blue eyes and a distinctive appearance. Ospreys Dorcha and Louis returned from West Africa and raised two chicks in 2025, with Louis delivering 439 fish to the nest. Wardens at Horsey counted 3,246 grey seal pups for the season. A fox became trapped in a letterbox and was freed.

Read at www.theguardian.com