Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 Winners Announced
Federico Veronesi wins top honors with a poignant image of elephant grief.
1Top Award for Elephant Grief
Federico Veronesi secured the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 title with his image of a female elephant carrying a deceased calf. Captured in Namibia’s Huab River Valley, the photograph provides rare evidence of complex animal cognition. Jury Chair Kathy Moran described the emotional impact as a profound, heartbreakingly poignant moment.
2Scientific Context of Behavior
The winning image depicts a calf’s leg wedged between the mother's tusk and trunk. Researchers observe similar death-related behaviors in both African and Asian elephants, including guarding bones and vocalizing. These actions remain a subject of intense scientific debate, with experts split between interpreting them as displays of grief or cognitive processing.
3Global Competition Scale
The 2026 competition attracted over 65,000 entries from photographers worldwide. Prizes were distributed across 20 distinct categories, ranging from age-specific honors to specialized wildlife themes. The Natural History Museum in London manages the event, ensuring that the winning images remain on public display until the exhibition concludes on July 11, 2027.
4Urban Wildlife and Adaptation
Seth Forestson won the Urban Wildlife category by capturing a water monitor against the Bangkok skyline. These lizards have successfully adapted to city life, utilizing local park resources like Lumphini Park’s fish populations. The challenge for the photographer involved framing the elusive creatures while they basked in the sun throughout the day.
5Photojournalism and Human Conflict
Francisco Negroni’s winning photojournalism entry highlights the illegal persecution of pumas in Chile despite a 2025 hunting ban. The image shows a puma displayed as a trophy on a fence. Experts suggest that using guard dogs or night enclosures can mitigate livestock predation, potentially shifting local economies toward sustainable puma-focused tourism instead.
6Rising Star and Macro
Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas received the Rising Star Award for capturing a robber fly consuming its prey. The image reveals digestive enzymes liquefying the victim's internal tissues, visible through bubbles in the fly's eyes. This macro photography highlights the brutal efficiency of predatory insects within their natural ecosystems, showcasing advanced technical skill and timing.
7Threatened Avian Species
Isak Pretorius documented a rare pair of shoebills in a swamp, earning the Behavior: Birds category award. These large birds, often misidentified as storks, are more closely related to pelicans and herons. With fewer than 5,300 mature individuals remaining in the wild, their population continues to decline, making such observational documentation increasingly vital.
8Legacy of the Exhibition
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards continue to serve as a critical platform for documenting natural history and conservation issues. By showcasing diverse winners like Loren Elliott, who tracked urban coyotes in San Francisco, the exhibition bridges the gap between artistic excellence and the urgent need for global environmental awareness and protection.
Original article: Popular Science — Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 Winners Announced