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Heartbreaking Elephant Calf Photo Wins Top Prize
14 Oct
Summary
- An elephant carrying a deceased calf won Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
- The elephant had previously cared for other females' dead calves.
- The winning image highlights animal emotions and complex relationships.
Federico Veronesi's emotionally charged photograph of an elephant with a deceased calf has secured him the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 title. The image, captured in Namibia's Huab River Valley, shows a female elephant carrying the calf, its leg held between her tusk and trunk. This particular elephant was recognized by researchers as one who had previously lost her own calf and had shown care for other deceased calves.
Veronesi described the encounter as profoundly significant, remarking on the depth and complexity of animal emotions. He aims for the photograph to encourage a more profound appreciation of animals as individuals with their own memories and feelings.
Other award-winning images were also featured, including Oscar Whitfield's shot of a dung beetle in Zimbabwe, Amelie Davis's image of a bumblebee in England, and James Lewin's elephant photo from Kenya. Aaron Sanders captured an octopus in Cornwall, Isak Pretorius photographed shoebill storks in Uganda, and Konrad Gräeter documented a blackbird in Germany.
Additional categories recognized Seth Forestson for urban wildlife in Bangkok, Tony Wu for underwater photography in Japan, Loren Elliott for a photojournalist story on coyotes in the USA, and Anton Sorokin for amphibian behavior in California. Sitaram Raul documented a scorpion in India, Alex Lindbloom captured a whale shark in Indonesia, and Agorastos Papatsanis showcased fungi in Greece.
Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas received the Rising Star Award for macro photography. Michał Michalski's image of birds in Greece won in Natural Artistry. Alex Visbal documented wetlands in Utah, Francisco Negroni captured a puma in Argentina, and Kutub Uddin explored slime moulds in England.
