An Italian photographer has been awarded the top prize in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his heart-wrenching image of a mother elephant carrying her deceased calf. Federico Veronesi captured the photo titled “The Aftermath” while observing elephants in Namibia’s Huab River Valley. The photo depicts an adult female elephant with a calf’s leg caught between her tusk and trunk, showcasing a moment of deep emotion and cognition in animals.
The chair of the jury, Kathy Moran, praised the photo for its multi-dimensional impact, describing it as emotionally powerful and intellectually compelling. In addition to winning the grand prize, the photo also triumphed in the Behavior: Mammals category.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the UK-based Natural History Museum in London, aims to raise awareness about nature’s stories and environmental challenges. This year’s 62nd edition received a record-breaking 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories.
The competition also celebrates young talent, with the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year prize going to Oscar Whitfield, a British photographer who captured a striking image of a dung beetle in action. The photograph, taken from ground level, showcases the beetle rolling a ball of dung and won in the 11 to 14 years age group.
While no Canadian photographers took top honors this year, Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, a Canadian citizen residing in Germany, received the Rising Star Award. His featured photo, titled “Afternoon Snack,” portrays a robber fly preying on a flesh fly, highlighting the intricate dynamics of nature.
The exhibition, featuring a diverse array of captivating wildlife images, includes notable entries from Canadian photographers, such as Shane Gross. The exhibition will be showcased at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty and diversity of wildlife photography.
The competition also recognized outstanding entries in various categories, including captivating images of a bee in flight, a newt caring for its eggs, glowing mushrooms on a decaying log, and a bull elephant interacting with zebras in Kenya’s Chyulu Hills. Each photograph tells a unique story of nature’s wonders and the importance of conservation efforts.
The exhibition will open at the Natural History Museum in London, inviting visitors to explore the intricate and awe-inspiring world of wildlife through the lens of talented photographers.