Elephant Grief Photo Takes Top Prize at 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Italian photographer Federico Veronesi won the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year with 'The Aftermath,' a black-and-white image of a female elephant carrying a deceased calf in Namibia. The competition received a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries, with winners announced at London's Natural History Museum on October 13, 2026.
Key points
- Federico Veronesi won the overall prize for 'The Aftermath,' depicting an elephant carrying a dead calf in Namibia's Huab River Valley.
- The competition received a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories.
- Winners were announced on October 13, 2026, at the Natural History Museum in London.
- An exhibition of 100 selected images opens on October 16, 2026.
- Both the adult and young overall winners were recognized for black-and-white photography, a first in the competition's history.
Background
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year is an annual competition organized by the Natural History Museum in London. Previous editions have highlighted various wildlife subjects, including bird photography and comedy wildlife awards. The 2026 edition continues this tradition of showcasing diverse and impactful wildlife imagery.
How outlets are covering it
National Geographic emphasizes the emotional and cognitive implications of the winning image, noting that researchers interpret the elephant's behavior as a possible display of grief or a journey to understanding death. The BBC highlights the rarity of the behavior, noting that the elephant was not the mother of the calf but had lost her own calf two years earlier, suggesting a complex emotional response. CNN focuses on the record number of entries and the diversity of the winning images, while Discover Wildlife provides detailed descriptions of the various category winners and the judging process.
Why it matters
The winning image highlights the complex emotional lives of elephants and the importance of conservation. The record number of entries underscores the global interest in wildlife photography and its role in raising awareness about environmental issues.
What to watch
An exhibition of 100 selected images will open at the Natural History Museum in London on October 16, 2026. Tickets can be booked online.
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 winners revealed BBC Wildlife Magazine
- 16 Striking Photos From This Year’s Best Wildlife Photographers National Geographic
- 'A window into its soul': The rare elephant behaviour that reveals the depths of their emotions BBC
- Incredible winning images from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 CNN
- Wildlife photographer of the year 2026 winners – in pictures The Guardian
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Read on BBC Wildlife Magazine