Beautiful photos: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015

For 52 years, the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has provided a wonderful visual celebration of the beauty and diversity of our world - and this year is no exception.

The images in the slideshow below are just some of the beautiful photos that have been entered.

Winners will be given the chance to exhibit their work on a global platform including a display at the Natural History Museum.

The London exhibition will feature both shortlisted and winning images from around 42,000 professionals and amateurs from 96 countries across the globe.

See also: National Geographic Traveller Photo Contest winners 2015​

See also: Amazing travel photos captured by drones

The competition will be judged by a panel of industry experts and 100 shortlisted images will also be sent of an international tour, covering six continents.

The exhibition opens on 16 October at the Natural History Museum in London and will run until Sunday 10 April 2016.

Tickets are available on the National History Museum website.

Take a look at our slideshow below to see a selection of the initial images.

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