Some of best entries to Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Last gasp: Behaviour, mammals - A large bull tries to crush a newborn hippo on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. Photo / Adrian Hirschi

Image 1 of 13:

The London Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year has released some of the top images from this year's competition.

If penguins could fly: Behaviour, mammals - a gentoo penguin flees for its life as a leopard seal bursts out of the water. Photo / Eduardo Del Alamo

It showcases the world's best nature photography and photojournalism.

Lucky break: Urban Wildlife - an ever-adaptable raccoon pokes her bandit-masked face out of a 1970s Ford Pinto on a deserted farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. Photo / Jason Bantle

Through their ability to inspire curiosity and wonder, the images showcase wildlife photography as an art form and challenges us to consider both our place in the natural world and our responsibility to protect it.

Big cat and dog spat: Behaviour, mammals - in a rare encounter, a lone male cheetah is set upon by a pack of African wild dogs. Photo / Peter Haygarth

The overall winners will be announced 15 October 2019