Photograph wins wildlife photography award

A photograph of an elephant carrying the body of her dead calf has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition. The image, taken by Federico Veronesi, has drawn attention for its emotional impact and the behavior it captures.

Image depicts elephant transporting calf

The photo shows an elephant transporting her deceased calf, an event that has sparked discussions about the emotional and cognitive capacities of elephants. The image was submitted to the prestigious competition, which was developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London.

Photo was taken in a dried riverbed

Veronesi was following a herd when unusual tracks in a dried riverbed caught his attention. The tracks led to the discovery of a dead calf, whose leg was caught between the mother's tusk and trunk. The mother continued to move forward, carrying her calf's body.

Elephant behavior not unique

This behavior is not unique to this case; scientists have observed elephants in Africa and Asia handling or transporting the bodies of deceased members of their species. Mothers, in particular, have been seen carrying the bodies of their calves for several days.

Elephants show complex behaviors

Unlike most mammals, elephants are unable to jump. Scientists have also noted elephants touching the bodies of the dead with their trunks and sometimes moving branches and soil around a corpse, suggesting possible burial behavior. While the cognitive and social abilities of elephants are well-documented, the question of whether they experience grief remains open.

Photo highlights emotional resonance

The image has been described as emotionally powerful and intellectually significant, highlighting the complex emotional lives of animals. The competition aims to bring the public closer to nature, and this photo has achieved that goal by illustrating a behavior that resonates with human experiences of loss.