An Italian photographer has won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for capturing a moving image of a mother elephant carrying her deceased calf. Federico Veronesi’s photo, titled “The Aftermath,” was taken in the Huab River Valley in Namibia. The photograph depicts an adult female elephant with her calf’s leg stuck between her tusk and trunk, evoking deep emotions and showcasing animal cognition, according to Kathy Moran, the chair of the jury for the 2026 competition.
In addition to claiming the grand prize, Veronesi’s photo also secured the top spot in the Behaviour: Mammals category. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London, aims to shed light on nature’s stories and raise awareness about environmental challenges. This year’s edition received an impressive 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories.
The Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award went to Oscar Whitfield, a British photographer with roots in Zimbabwe. Whitfield’s winning photo features a dung beetle laboriously pushing a ball of dung and was recognized in the 11 to 14 years age group.
While no Canadian participants clinched category victories this year, Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, a Canadian citizen residing in Germany, received the Rising Star Award. His captivating image, “Afternoon snack,” showcases a robber fly preying on a flesh fly, highlighting the intricate dynamics of nature.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be displayed at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria. The exhibition will also open at the Natural History Museum in London this Friday, offering a glimpse into the stunning photography capturing the beauty and drama of the natural world.
