The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, has just announced its winners. The prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year title goes to Italian photographer Federico Veronesi, who captured a female elephant carrying a deceased calf in Huab River Valley, Damaraland, Namibia.
The heartbreaking image, The Aftermath, is a powerful black-and-white photograph that, as researchers suggest, could show us how elephants understand death. This behaviour has been observed in Asia and Africa; researchers also say it could be interpreted as a sign of grief.
"This photograph works on so many levels. Emotionally it's a gut punch, heartbreakingly poignant. Intellectually it's proof that animals have cognition. This photograph says it all!" says Kathy Moran, Chair of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Jury.
Tech details
Gear: Nikon Z8 + Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
Exposure: 1/1000sec, f/2.8, ISO 72
The story behind the still
When Veronesi was photographing elephants in Namibia, an unusual trail of drag marks across the dry riverbed caught his attention. Soon he followed up with the family group. Then he witnessed the female emerge with the calf, its leg wedged between her tusk and trunk.
See the winning images
The sixty-second Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be on display from October 16, 2026 until July 11, 2027 at the Natural History Museum in London.
Tickets are available here. Discover more winning images on the Natural History Museum website.
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