An Italian photographer has been awarded the top prize in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his striking image of a grieving mother elephant carrying her deceased calf. Federico Veronesi captured the emotional moment, titled “The Aftermath,” while observing elephants in Namibia’s Huab River Valley. The photograph, which also won in the Behaviour: Mammals category, showcases a female elephant with her calf’s leg caught between her tusk and trunk.
Describing the winning photo as impactful on multiple levels, Kathy Moran, the jury chair for the 2026 competition, emphasized its emotional and intellectual depth. She noted that the image serves as a poignant reminder of animal cognition and the complexities of nature.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest, organized by the Natural History Museum in London, aims to share narratives from the natural world and highlight environmental issues that demand attention. This year’s edition attracted over 65,000 entries from 121 countries and territories, showcasing a diverse array of wildlife photography.
In addition to the main award, the competition also recognizes young talent, with British photographer Oscar Whitfield clinching the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year prize. Whitfield’s winning photograph captures a dung beetle in action, emphasizing the beauty and intricacies of nature in its raw form.
While there were no Canadian winners in the main categories this year, Canadian photographer Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas received the Rising Star Award for his captivating image titled “Afternoon Snack,” featuring a robber fly preying on a flesh fly. The photo highlights the fascinating yet brutal aspects of the insect world.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, featuring a diverse selection of photographs, will be on display at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria. The exhibition is set to open at the Natural History Museum in London in the coming days, offering visitors a glimpse into the beauty and wonder of the natural world through the lens of talented photographers.