A polar bear playfully fetches a stick in the waters of Svalbard, Norway. It’s a moment of levity for an animal better known for their imposing dispositions. Photographer Tom Nickels watched the scene from a safe distance on a boat and snapped a captivating image (seen above) of the moment.
Nickels’ photograph took gold in the Behavior-Mammals category at the 2025 World Nature Photography Awards. This year’s competition drew thousands entries from 48 countries spanning six continents.
