In brief
Federico Veronesi captured a heart‑wrenching moment in Namibia where an elderly elephant lifts a dead calf, revealing complex animal emotions. Initial assumptions about the calf’s ownership were unsettled by local researchers. Veronesi’s image underscores how animals remember and care for each other, challenging human perceptions of wildlife behavior. The winning photo sets the tone for the year's competition, whose exhibition opens at the Natural History Museum on 16 October.
In Namibia’s Huab River Valley, a striking image of an elderly elephant carrying a dead calf won Italian photographer Federico Veronesi the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year title.
While tracking elephants, Veronesi followed unusual drag marks across the dry sand, discovering the female elephant’s tender act.
Researchers later clarified that the elephant, known for having lost a calf years before, had previously helped other mothers by carrying dead calves.
Veronesi described the capture as the most heart‑wracking and fascinating of his 20‑year career, highlighting the depth of animal emotion and encouraging viewers to see wildlife as individuals with memories and relationships.
The annual competition’s exhibition begins at the Natural History Museum on 16 October, showcasing this and other award‑winning images across categories such as Young Grand Title, Photography for Children, Animal Portraits, and Environmental Contexts.
Notable entries include Oscar Whitfield’s beetle in Zimbabwe, Amelie Davis’s bumblebee in England, James Lewin’s unitaged elephant scene in Kenya, Aaron Sanders’ octopus portrait in Cornwall, and many more that celebrate the intricate beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Each photo invites a deeper reflection on ecosystems, species resilience, and the interwoven stories that unfolding moments capture, echoing the fluxdaily mission of presenting a multidimensional view of our planet across all timelines.
