Italian photographer Federico Veronesi has claimed the top prize in the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His winning image, “The Aftermath,” depicts a female elephant carrying her deceased calf—a stark, visceral moment selected from a pool of 65,403 entries submitted by photographers across 121 countries. Naturalists and TV presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin announced the winner during a ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London.
The Natural History Museum in London announced the win, marking a significant moment for the prestigious annual contest. Beyond the main prize, the jury selected winners across more than a dozen categories, all of which will be featured in an exhibition opening October 16 at the museum.
Tracking Grief in the Huab River Valley
The photograph was born from a quiet morning in Namibia’s Huab River Valley. Veronesi was tracking elephant movements when he spotted unusual drag marks etched into the sand of a dry riverbed. Following the trail, he discovered the female elephant, the calf’s leg wedged firmly between her trunk and tusk. After capturing the initial image, Veronesi observed the elephant carry the calf up a rocky hill, pausing occasionally to feed on a small bush before continuing with the body. Because the animal did not appear to have recently given birth, Veronesi consulted with a local elephant research project.
Local researchers, familiar with the elephant’s history, noted that she had lost a calf years prior. Veronesi suggests the behavior may be an attempt by the elephant to reconnect with that past experience, noting, “It shows an even higher level of complexity of emotions and reactions.” Scientists have observed that both African and Asian elephants exhibit behaviors such as guarding, carrying, and inspecting the dead, leading researchers to investigate whether these actions constitute formal mourning rituals.
A Monochrome Milestone
This year’s competition set a historic precedent: for the first time, both the adult and young overall winners were recognized for black-and-white photography. This shift highlights the enduring power of monochrome to strip away distraction and focus on the essence of the subject.
Winning entries for Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 https://t.co/oqB1iKVvin
Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year Oscar Whitfield earned the title for “Labour of Love,” a technically demanding shot of a dung beetle in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park. Whitfield captured the image while lying flat on the ground. Jury member Jasper Doest noted that the image required immense technical skill to capture such a small, mobile subject with such intentional composition, adding, “The composition reveals an entire story and by doing so the photograph quietly reveals how life cycles depend on what we often overlook or dismiss.”
The Jury’s Verdict
She described the photograph as both a “gut punch” and “heartbreakingly poignant,” characterizing it as clear evidence of animal cognition. The entries were evaluated by a panel of seven experts who judged the work anonymously, focusing on technical excellence, creativity, and originality. Doug Gurr, director of the museum, noted that the winning images “demonstrate the power of photography to help audiences perceive nature through a different lens,” while emphasizing the urgent importance of protecting the natural world. Gurr added that the images serve as a reminder that “every species plays a role in the complex web of life.”
Public Exhibition Premiere
The museum confirmed that an exhibition featuring 100 selected images will open to the public on October 16, 2026. Tickets are currently available through the Natural History Museum’s website. Regarding the winning entry, competition chair Kathy Moran stated, “This photograph says it all!”
Competition Insights
Where can visitors see the winning photographs?
The Natural History Museum in London will host an exhibition of 100 selected images starting October 16, 2026. Tickets for the event can be booked via the museum’s online portal.
What was the total number of entries received this year?
Organizers confirmed a record-breaking 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories were submitted for consideration.