This year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has announced its winners, showcasing striking images that capture the diversity and drama of the natural world. The leading prize was awarded to Federico Veronesi for his poignant photograph of an elephant carrying a deceased calf in Namibia’s Huab River Valley.

Veronesi’s image, titled "The Aftermath," depicts a female elephant transporting the lifeless body of a calf with its leg caught between her tusk and trunk. The photograph highlights a raw and emotional moment in wildlife life cycles, drawing attention to the bond between elephants and the challenges they face in the wild.

The winning entries will be exhibited at the Natural History Museum in London, with the show running from Friday through to July 2027, offering the public a chance to view the compelling images up close.

Among the other notable winners, Loren Elliott secured the photojournalist story award for "Wily Coyotes of San Francisco," a series that documents the adaptation of coyotes to urban environments. Isak Pretorius won the bird behaviour category for "Scenes from the Swamp," featuring a pair of shoebills in a striking natural setting. In the photojournalism category, Francisco Negroni’s "Warning Sign" captured the stark image of a puma carcass in Patagonia, Argentina, drawing attention to wildlife struggles and the ecological balance in the region.

These photographs collectively provide insight into diverse animal behaviors, survival challenges, and human impact on ecosystems worldwide. The competition continues to serve as a platform for photographers to bring wildlife stories to a broad audience through powerful visual narratives.