14-year-old photographer wins one of wildlife photography's biggest awards with image of a dung beetle on a mission to roll its precious cargo up a sandy slope, captured on a family game drive in Zimbabwe
With a striking black-and-white image of a determined dung beetle pushing a ball of dung, trailed by a gathering of flies, young photographer Oscar Whitfield scoops the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year title
Oscar Whitfield, a 14-year-old photographer from Stonyhurst College, has been awarded the prestigious Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year accolade. His winning image, titled "Labour of Love," features a close-up black-and-white photograph of a diligent dung beetle rolling a ball of dung, accompanied by a swarm of flies. The striking image was captured during a family game drive in Zimbabwe, using a Canon EOS R6 Mark II camera with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens.
The award, presented by the Natural History Museum in London, recognizes the technical skill, creativity, and patience required to photograph a tiny, constantly moving subject like the beetle. Jury member Jasper Doest praised the image for its intentional composition and powerful storytelling, highlighting the often overlooked role of small organisms in life cycles.
The winning image will be on display at the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition from October 16, 2026, until July 11, 2027.
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