A total of 33,379 votes were cast in the nationwide online Animal of the Year 2026 poll.

Voting took place from the first days of December until the end of January. The competition was very fierce, but the hamster was clearly in the lead from the start. This native, endangered rodent species was nominated for the poll by the Roztocze National Park and employees of the Ministry of Climate and Environment. This is our unusual way of educating the public

– said Hubert Różyk, Director of the Department of Education and Communication at the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

The European hamster gained almost 32% of all votes, or 10,621 to be precise, clearly outstripping its rivals.

We are planning to communicate about the hamster throughout 2026. From materials for children and teachers to social media. We want the hamster, as a symbol of biodiversity, to be present in the public space. We would like to get as many people in Poland as possible interested in it, to make them realise that biodiversity is simply something we need. We will join forces with scientists and prepare a nationwide educational campaign about this species. Because education is an important part of the fight to preserve biodiversity. Polish women and men have chosen our hero for these activities

– emphasized Paweł Marciniak from the Department of Education and Communication of the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

The European hamster is a strictly protected species, a symbol of biodiversity and a reminder of how important it is to care for our native ecosystems.

I am very happy that the European hamster, our jewel of the farmlands, an indicator of their condition and biodiversity, has been named Animal of the Year 2026! This is excellent news that this species, which has been combated for decades and is now critically endangered, has been loved by so many Poles. This bodes well for its strict protection, which will also benefit other plant and animal species that coexist with the vole and improve the condition of field ecosystems

– highlighted Joanna Ziomek, PhD, professor at the Faculty of Biology of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.

The magnificent twelve

Nominations for the Animal of the Year 2026 poll were submitted by national parks, the General Directorate for Environmental Protection, and employees of the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Each proposal carried with it an important story and specific challenges related to species protection.

The European hamster proved to be unrivalled, far outstripping its rivals – almost every third vote was cast for this unique species. Second place went to the Eurasian lynx with 4,561 votes, and third place went to the grey wolf with 4,020 votes. Just behind the top three was the European beaver (Castor fiber), which received 3,637 votes and remained in contention for the top spots until the very end.

The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) came in fifth place, winning over 2,299 people, while sixth place went to the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola), which received 1,694 votes. Seventh place went to the Eurasian elk (Alces alces, 1,581 votes), eighth to the crane (Grus grus, 1,466), and ninth to the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis, 1,368). The next places were taken by the brown bear (Ursus arctos, 10th place, 786 votes), the rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina, 11th place, nearly 743 votes) and the European eel (Anguilla anguilla, 12th place, 603 votes).

Although only three species made it to the podium, nature was the real winner. Thousands of votes cast showed that Poles are not indifferent to the fate of wild animals, which is a clear signal that concern for biodiversity is becoming a common cause.