Elephant carries dead calf in winning photo

A poignant image of an elephant carrying her dead calf has been named the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition. The photo was taken by Italian photographer Federico Veronesi in Namibia.

Photo captures emotional and intellectual impact

According to Kathy Moran, president of the competition's jury, the photograph touches people emotionally and intellectually, highlighting the cognitive abilities of animals. The image was taken when Veronesi followed elephant tracks in the Huab River valley and encountered the elephant carrying her calf, whose leg was caught between her tusk and trunk.

Competition showcases global wildlife photography

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition received 65,403 photos from 121 countries and territories. Twenty prizes were awarded in different categories, most of which will be featured in a slideshow. An exhibition will open at the Natural History Museum in London on Friday, October 16.

Other notable entries highlight animal behavior

The competition also featured other notable entries, including The ballet of the reproduction of groupers, named animal photo of the year. Research indicated that elephants could recognize their relatives by smell years after separation, and rare images seemed to show a whale mourning its stillborn calf.

Humor and emotion in animal photography

Other entries included photos of an elephant, parrot, and chameleon, among others, which were considered for the funniest animal photo of the year. These photos, along with the winning image, remind us of the importance of understanding and protecting nature, according to Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum.