Italian photographer wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 with moving elephant image

Competition overview The annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition announced its 2026 winners, featuring photographs across a range of subjects including underwater scenes, urban wildlife, photojournalism and mammal behaviour. The event has long been a benchmark for wildlife photography, attracting entries from around the world.

Overall winner Italian photographer Federico Veronesi secured the overall title with a striking image of an elephant carrying a deceased calf. The photo was taken while Veronesi was tracking elephants in Namibia’s Huab River Valley, a region known for its dry riverbeds and rich wildlife.

The elephant image Veronesi first noticed a trail of drag marks on the sand, which led him to a female elephant holding a dead calf. The calf’s leg was caught between the elephant’s tusk and trunk, creating a dramatic and emotionally charged scene. The photograph captures the raw complexity of the moment, highlighting the animal’s physical and emotional state.

Scientific context After sharing the image with a local elephant research project, scientists confirmed that the elephant had previously lost a calf several years earlier and had a history of carrying dead calves of other females. This context added depth to the image, illustrating the social and emotional behaviours of elephants that are often overlooked.

Exhibition details The winners’ photographs will be exhibited at the Natural History Museum in London, with the opening ceremony on Friday 16 October 2026. The exhibition will run until July 2027, offering visitors the chance to view the year’s most compelling wildlife images.

Other notable entries In addition to the overall winner, the competition highlighted a range of other striking images, such as an urban coyote and various underwater and mammal behaviour shots. These photographs demonstrate the diversity of wildlife photography and the wide array of habitats and species represented.