Brief
Federico Veronesi’s Elephant Photo Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
The award‑winning image shows a female elephant carrying her dead calf in Namibia’s Huab River Valley.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Italian photographer Federico Veronesi won the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for a striking photograph of a grieving elephant in Namibia’s Huab River Valley, Popsci reported on 15 October 2026.
What happened
While tracking elephants in a dry riverbed, Veronesi noticed a series of drag marks in the sand. He followed the marks to a family group and found a female elephant carrying the body of a deceased calf, its leg wedged between the mother’s tusk and trunk. The image captures the moment and was selected as the winner in the Behaviour: Mammals category.
What the reports add
Popsci notes that more than 65,000 photographs were submitted for the competition, which awarded prizes across 20 categories, including youth divisions and specialized subjects such as birds, amphibians, and underwater scenes. The outlet lists all category winners, highlighting Veronesi’s Italian nationality and the photograph’s focus on mammalian behaviour.
What was said
Kathy Moran, chair of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year jury, described the image as “a gut‑punch emotionally, heartbreakingly poignant” and said it demonstrates “that animals have cognition.” The quote is attributed to Moran by Popsci.
How it came about
Veronesi’s encounter was part of a broader field effort to document elephant social behaviour. Researchers have observed elephants engaging in death‑related actions such as vocalising, guarding the dead, and handling bones. Some scientists interpret these actions as signs of grief, while others view them as part of an elephant’s understanding of death. The photograph’s success underscores the competition’s emphasis on both aesthetic impact and scientific relevance.
Key facts
- Federico Veronesi won the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for a photograph of a grieving elephant in Namibia. (popsci.com)
- The winning image shows a female elephant carrying the body of a deceased calf in the Huab River Valley. (popsci.com)
- More than 65,000 photographs were submitted for the competition, which featured 20 categories. (popsci.com)
- Jury chair Kathy Moran praised the photograph for its emotional impact and its illustration of animal cognition. (popsci.com)
Sources
- [1] popsci.com — originally reported as “Powerful image of a grieving elephant wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year”
