Stunning image of a polar bear with an outsized snack wins major award
Roie Galitz's breathtaking shot is one of the winners of the 2026 World Press Photo Contest, praised for its unusual perspective and scale
A remarkable photograph of a polar bear feasting on a massive sperm whale carcass has earned top honors in the 2026 World Press Photo Contest. Captured by Roie Galitz, the image showcases the extraordinary bear dwarfed by the deep-sea dweller, which usually resides hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface.
The competition's jury praised the image for its unique perspective and scale, transforming the frame into a visual and conceptual study of nature. Galitz captured the scene from a small boat using a drone, providing a unique angle that highlights the stark contrast between the bear and the whale.
The sperm whale carcass, a male, provides an unusual snack for the polar bear, deviating from their typical seal diet. The location of the photograph, taken in the polar pack ice north of Svalbard, is particularly intriguing, as the shallow sea is far removed from the open-ocean trenches sperm whales typically inhabit.
According to conservation organization Polar Bears International, many whales sink after death, but a significant percentage become buoyant due to gas production during decomposition, causing their carcasses to drift into shallower waters. This phenomenon explains why the sperm whale carcass was found in such an unusual location.
While the striking photograph offers a visually captivating glimpse into the natural world, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of Arctic warming on polar bears. Despite their best efforts at adaptation, the bears' rapidly melting habitat leaves them facing a bleak future, with experts predicting significant population declines before the year 2100.
Written by urgent.news from New Scientist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
