An Italian photographer has won the top Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for his captivating image of a grieving mother elephant carrying her deceased calf. Federico Veronesi’s winning photo, titled “The Aftermath,” was taken in the Huab River Valley in Namibia, where he observed drag marks and later encountered an adult female elephant with a calf’s leg caught between her tusk and trunk.
Kathy Moran, chair of the 2026 competition jury, praised the photo for its emotional impact and intellectual depth, noting that it showcases the cognitive abilities of animals. Apart from claiming the grand prize, the image also secured first place in the Behaviour: Mammals category.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London, aims to shed light on nature’s narratives and raise awareness of pressing environmental issues. This year’s edition attracted a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories.
In addition to the adult winner, the competition recognizes a young photographer under 18, with this year’s Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award going to Oscar Whitfield. His winning photograph captures a dung beetle rolling a ball of dung, offering a unique perspective on nature’s intricacies.
While there were no Canadian category winners officially announced, Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, a Canadian citizen residing in Germany, received the Rising Star Award for his striking photo titled “Afternoon Snack,” depicting a robber fly preying on a flesh fly. The image highlights the predator-prey interaction with vivid clarity.
The exhibition also features notable mentions for Canadians, including B.C. photographer Shane Gross, who was the 2024 competition winner. The exhibition will be showcased at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria, providing Canadians with the opportunity to experience the captivating wildlife photography on display.
The competition encompasses various categories, with winners like Amelie Davis from the U.K. capturing a common carder bee in flight and Anton Sorokin from the U.S. documenting a California newt guarding its eggs. Other category winners include Greek photographer Agorastos Papatsanis, who illuminated fluorescent bonnet mushrooms, and James Lewin, who photographed a young elephant spraying water on zebras in Kenya’s Chyulu Hills.
The exhibition is set to open at the Natural History Museum in London soon, offering visitors a glimpse into the diverse and mesmerizing world of wildlife photography.
