World · Africa · 3 hrs ago
Elephant carrying dead calf wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Italian photographer Federico Veronesi won Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 for an image of an elephant carrying a dead calf.
He took the photograph while tracking elephants in Namibia’s Huab River Valley.
Veronesi first thought the female was the calf’s mother, but researchers said that was not certain.
They identified her as an elephant who had lost a calf years earlier and had carried dead calves belonging to other females.
Veronesi hopes the image will help people see animals as individuals with their own relationships and emotions.
The competition’s annual exhibition opens at the Natural History Museum on 16 October 2026.
Italian photographer Federico Veronesi won Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 with an image of an elephant carrying a dead calf.
He photographed the elephant in Namibia’s Huab River Valley while tracking elephants.
Researchers said the female elephant had lost a calf several years earlier and had also picked up dead calves belonging to other females.
The winning images were selected from a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories.
The competition’s annual exhibition is due to open at London’s Natural History Museum on 16 October 2026.
- Who
- Italian photographer Federico Veronesi won the competition.
- What
- His photograph of an elephant carrying a dead calf was named Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026.
- When
- The winners were announced on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- The photograph was taken in Namibia’s Huab River Valley.
- Why
- Veronesi said he hopes the image will encourage people to recognise animals as individuals with relationships, memories and emotions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The elephant had lost a calf, according to researchers.
Veronesi followed drag marks in a dry riverbed and found the female carrying a dead calf.
The competition’s winners were announced.
The annual exhibition is due to open at the Natural History Museum in London.
- Winner
- Federico Veronesi, Italy
- Winning image
- An elephant carrying a dead calf
- Location
- Huab River Valley, Namibia
- Entries
- 65,403 from 121 countries and territories
- Exhibition
- Natural History Museum, London, opening 16 October 2026
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What people are saying
Of all the 20 years I've done photographing animals, this is the most heart-wrecking and fascinating and dramatic
It's a small window that opens just a crack into the complexity of their world
This photo works on so many levels. Emotionally, it is a punch in the gut, heartbreakingly moving. Intellectually, it is proof that animals have cognitive abilities. This photo says it all!