An Italian photographer has been awarded the top prize in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his emotionally moving image of a mother elephant carrying her deceased calf. Federico Veronesi captured the photograph, titled “The Aftermath,” while observing elephants in the Huab River Valley in Namibia. The image portrays an adult female elephant with a calf’s leg caught between her tusk and trunk, exhibiting a heartbreaking scene.
The jury chair, Kathy Moran, praised the photograph for its profound impact, describing it as emotionally striking and intellectually revealing the cognitive abilities of animals. In addition to winning the grand prize, the photo was also recognized as the winner in the Behaviour: Mammals category.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is organized by the Natural History Museum in London, aiming to share stories from nature and raise awareness about environmental issues. This year’s edition attracted 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories. The competition includes awards for both adult and young photographers, with the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year prize being awarded to Oscar Whitfield for his captivating image of a dung beetle in action.
Although no Canadian photographers were category winners this year, 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 with captivating detail.
The exhibition, featuring a diverse array of wildlife photography, includes notable entries from different categories, showcasing the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Canadians can view the exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria on specific dates, with the display opening at the Natural History Museum in London soon.
The competition also recognized photographers from various age groups and countries, celebrating their talent and dedication to capturing the wonders of wildlife. Noteworthy category winners include Amelie Davis from the U.K., Anton Sorokin from the U.S., Agorastos Papatsanis from Greece, and James Lewin from Kenya, each offering unique perspectives on nature through their exceptional imagery.
