Elephant Mourning Calf Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A photograph of an elephant standing over her dead calf has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, with other winning images including fluorescent fungi and a dung beetle.
A photograph of an elephant standing over her dead calf has been awarded the top prize at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. The image, described by judges as «heartbreakingly poignant», captures the animal's apparent grief and has been praised for its emotional depth and conservation message.
The winning shot was taken by an unnamed photographer and beat thousands of entries from around the world. The competition, organised by the Natural History Museum in London, is one of the most prestigious wildlife photography awards globally. Other winning images in this year's competition include fluorescent fungi and a dung beetle, which was captured in black and white by a 14-year-old British photographer who took the top prize for Young Photographer of the Year.
The awards recognise exceptional wildlife photography across multiple categories, including animal behaviour, plants and fungi, and urban wildlife. This year's winners also featured an urban coyote, highlighting the growing intersection between wildlife and human environments. The competition aims to showcase the beauty and fragility of the natural world while raising awareness about conservation issues.
The elephant photograph has drawn particular attention for its raw portrayal of loss. Elephants are known to exhibit complex social behaviours, including mourning rituals for deceased members of their herd. The image captures a moment of quiet intensity, with the mother standing guard over her calf. Judges noted the photograph's ability to convey emotion without anthropomorphising the animal, making it a powerful testament to the bonds within elephant families.
The Young Photographer of the Year award went to a British teenager whose black-and-white image of a dung beetle was described as «Sisyphus-like» for its depiction of the insect's tireless efforts. The photograph stood out for its composition and technical skill, demonstrating that age is no barrier to capturing compelling wildlife moments. The young photographer's work will be exhibited alongside the adult winners at the Natural History Museum.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition typically attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and tours internationally. This year's collection of 19 winning images will go on display in London before travelling to venues around the world. The competition continues to be a platform for both established and emerging photographers to highlight the wonders of the natural world and the challenges it faces.
Conservation groups have welcomed the recognition given to images that spotlight the emotional lives of animals. The winning elephant photograph, in particular, has been cited as a reminder of the intelligence and social complexity of elephants, which continue to face threats from poaching and habitat loss. The awards serve not only as a celebration of photography but also as a call to protect the species and ecosystems depicted.
The full list of winners includes categories such as Behaviour: Mammals, Behaviour: Birds, Plants and Fungi, Urban Wildlife, and Photojournalism. Each winning image is selected for its originality, technical excellence, and ability to tell a story. The competition is open to photographers of all ages and experience levels, with a separate category for young photographers aged 17 and under.
The Natural History Museum has confirmed that the exhibition will open later this year, with tickets expected to go on sale soon. The winning images will also be published in a companion book. For now, the elephant photograph stands as the defining image of this year's competition, capturing a moment of profound loss and quiet dignity in the wild.
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