Federico Veronesi Wins Wildlife Photography Award

Veronesi encountered the elephant while tracking the animals in Namibia. During his journey, he noticed unusual drag marks across the sand of a dry riverbed.

He followed the tracks and discovered a female elephant carrying a dead calf. The calf’s leg was caught between the elephant’s tusk and trunk.

The scene became the subject of the photograph that later earned Veronesi the prestigious wildlife photography award.

Researchers Reveal Details About the Elephant

At first, Veronesi believed the elephant was carrying her own dead calf. However, he later shared the photographs with an elephant research project working in the area.

Researchers explained that they could not confirm whether the calf belonged to the female.

They recognised the elephant as one that had lost a calf several years earlier. They also reported that she had previously picked up dead calves belonging to other females.

The discovery added another layer of complexity to an already emotional encounter.

Photographer Describes an Unforgettable Moment

Veronesi said the experience stood out among the many wildlife encounters he has documented over two decades.

He described it as one of the most heartbreaking, fascinating and dramatic moments of his photography career.

The photographer believes the image offers a glimpse into the emotional lives of elephants. He hopes it will encourage people to see wild animals as individuals with their own memories, relationships and experiences.

Veronesi also said the photograph provides only a small window into the complexity of the animal world.

Wildlife Photography Highlights Animal Behaviour

Wildlife Photographer of the Year celebrates images that capture the natural world and reveal different aspects of animal life.

Veronesi’s winning photograph encourages viewers to look beyond an animal’s appearance and consider its behaviour and relationships.

However, researchers have not confirmed whether the elephant was the calf’s mother. The uncertainty is an important part of understanding the encounter without making assumptions about what the animal was experiencing.

When Does the Wildlife Photographer Exhibition Open?

The annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opens at London’s Natural History Museum on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Visitors will be able to see the winning photograph alongside other award-winning wildlife images.

The exhibition gives audiences an opportunity to explore the natural world through the work of photographers documenting animals and their environments.