An Italian photographer has won this year’s top Wildlife Photographer of the Year award with a striking photo of a mother elephant carrying her deceased calf. Federico Veronesi took the winning shot, titled “The Aftermath,” while observing elephants in Namibia’s Huab River Valley. The image captured a heartbreaking moment as he noticed an adult female elephant with a calf’s leg trapped between her tusk and trunk.
Kathy Moran, who chaired the jury for the 2026 competition, praised the photo for its emotional impact and intellectual depth, stating that it resonates on multiple levels. The image not only clinched the grand prize but also triumphed in the Behavior: Mammals category.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the U.K.-based Natural History Museum in London, aims to showcase nature’s narratives and raise awareness of pressing environmental issues. This year’s edition attracted entries from 121 countries and territories, totaling 65,403 submissions.
In addition to the main award, the competition also recognizes a Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year. The 2026 young winner was Oscar Whitfield, a British photographer with roots in Zimbabwe. His winning photo, taken from ground level, depicts a dung beetle laboriously pushing a dung ball and won in the 11 to 14 years age group.
While there were no Canadian category winners officially announced this year, Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, a Canadian citizen residing in Germany, received the Rising Star Award. His featured photo, titled “Afternoon Snack,” showcases a robber fly preying on a flesh fly, revealing a fascinating yet brutal natural encounter.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition includes notable mentions for Canadian photographers, with Shane Gross from British Columbia receiving recognition. The exhibition will be on display at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria on specific dates.
Among the other category winners were Amelie Davis from the U.K., Anton Sorokin from the U.S., Agorastos Papatsanis from Greece, and James Lewin capturing stunning moments in nature across various categories.