Rare Brown Hyena Captured in Abandoned Diamond Town

In a remarkable achievement, wildlife photographer Wim van den Heever has been awarded the prestigious title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his captivating image of a rare brown hyena standing amidst the ruins of an abandoned diamond mining town in Namibia.

The brown hyena, the rarest of all hyena species, is primarily nocturnal and tends to live a solitary life. For years, Mr. van den Heever had searched the deserted town of Kolmanskop, finding only traces of the elusive animal. "I knew they were there, but actually photographing one was just never going to happen," he had thought. However, his persistence and patience paid off, as he finally managed to capture the stunning shot after setting up a camera trap and waiting for ten long years.

The winning photograph, which will be showcased at the Natural History Museum's annual exhibition starting on October 17th, 2025, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of our natural world. As habitats continue to be lost, the challenges faced by many animal species, including the brown hyena, become increasingly apparent.