Kings of the jungle on top in photo award

A photograph of a pair of male lions, entitled Bond of Brothers, is the winner of the People's Choice Award at this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

It was taken by professional photographer David Lloyd, who saw off competition from more than 45,000 entries. A shortlist of 25 images was selected by the Natural History Museum and opened to the public to vote for their favourite.

"I'm so pleased that this image did well because it illustrates the emotion and feeling of animals and emphasises that this is not limited to humans," says Lloyd, who is from New Zealand but living in London.

"It is something I think more people need to be aware of for the sake of all animals."

The picture can be seen at the Natural History Museum alongside other highly, commended entries, four of which are shown here.

Three king penguins on a beach in the Falkland Islands were the subject of Wim Van Den Heever's picture

Wim van den Heever Penguins — Three king penguins on a beach in the Falkland Islands were the subject of Wim Van Den Heever's picture

Matthew Maran's photograph shows a fox walking towards graffiti art in London

Matthew Maran Urban fox — Matthew Maran's photograph shows a fox walking towards graffiti art in London

A famished polar bear in the Canadian Arctic, as seen by Justin Hofman

Justin-Hofman Polar bear — A famished polar bear in the Canadian Arctic, as seen by Justin Hofman

Hungarian photographer Bence Máté also features, with a picture of three painted wolves, African wild dogs, playing with the leg of an impala

Bence Mate Painted wolves — Hungarian photographer Bence Máté also features, with a picture of three painted wolves, African wild dogs, playing with the leg of an impala

All photographs courtesy Wildlife Photographer of the Year