Deeply moving black-and-white photograph crowned as the year's best wildlife image might teach us about an elephant's journey towards understanding death
An image of a female elephant carrying her deceased calf wins the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, captured in Huab River Valley, Damaraland, Namibia
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London, has just crowned its latest winner. The honor belongs to Italian photographer Federico Veronesi, whose striking black-and-white photograph, titled "The Aftermath," captures a female elephant cradling a lifeless calf in the Huab River Valley of Namibia's Damaraland region.
The poignant image is not only a gut-wrenching visual experience but also offers insight into the depth of emotional perception in elephants. Observations of similar behavior in both Asia and Africa have led researchers to speculate that these elephants may be expressing grief, a deeply moving concept in the animal kingdom.
Kathy Moran, Chair of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Jury, lauded the photograph for its emotional impact and intellectual value, affirming that it serves as proof of the sophisticated cognition found within these majestic creatures. In capturing this image, Veronesi employed a Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S telephoto lens, renowned for its exceptional sharpness throughout the entire photograph.
This technique allowed him to maintain a respectful distance from the wildlife, ensuring minimal disturbance to the natural environment.
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