Federico Veronesi Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Italian photographer Federico Veronesi has been named Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 for a powerful image of an elephant carrying a deceased calf.
Quick facts
- Federico Veronesi won the title for his image of an elephant in Namibia's Huab River Valley.
- The annual exhibition opens at the Natural History Museum on October 16, 2026.
- Other winners include Michaล Michalski for Natural Artistry and Alex Visbal for Wetlands.
Why it matters
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is a significant event in the British cultural calendar, hosted annually by the Natural History Museum. The focus on complex animal emotions reflects a growing scientific interest in the cognitive and social lives of non-human species, which often drives public engagement with nature photography.
Italian photographer Federico Veronesi has been awarded the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026. His winning image captures an emotional scene of a female elephant carrying a deceased calf, observed in Namibia's Huab River Valley.
As of October 14, 2026, the competition results have been published, drawing global attention to the emotional lives of wild animals. Veronesi, who has spent two decades photographing animals, described the encounter as the most dramatic and fascinating he has witnessed.
What happened in Namibia?
Veronesi discovered the scene while tracking elephants near a dry riverbed. He observed a female elephant with a calf's leg wedged between her tusk and trunk. While he initially believed the elephant was the calf's mother, researchers later identified her as an individual who had lost her own calf years prior and had been seen previously carrying the deceased young of other elephants.
Why is this trending in United Kingdom?
Interest in the United Kingdom is driven by the upcoming annual exhibition hosted at the Natural History Museum in London. The public will be able to view the winning entries starting Friday, 16 October 2026.
What is confirmed and what is not
It is confirmed that Federico Veronesi is the overall winner and that the Natural History Museum exhibition begins on 16 October 2026. The exact biological relationship between the elephant and the calf remains unconfirmed, as researchers believe the adult female was not the calf's biological mother.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026?
Italian photographer Federico Veronesi won the title. His winning photograph depicts a female elephant carrying a deceased calf in Namibia, a behaviour he described as a rare window into the emotional complexity of animals.
When does the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 exhibition open?
The annual exhibition is scheduled to open to the public at the Natural History Museum in London on Friday, 16 October 2026.
What animal behaviour did the winning photo capture?
The photo captures an elephant carrying the body of a deceased calf. Researchers noted that such behaviours, including guarding the dead and handling bones, have been observed in both Asian and African elephant populations.
Is the elephant in the photo the calf's mother?
Researchers identified the elephant as a female who had previously lost her own calf years ago. They believe she was not the biological mother of the calf she was carrying in the photograph.
Who are the other winners in the competition?
Other category winners include Michaล Michalski from Poland, who won for Natural Artistry, and Alex Visbal from Colombia, who won in the Wetlands: The Bigger Picture category.
Where can I see the winning photos?
The winning entries are featured in the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which takes place at the Natural History Museum in London starting 16 October 2026.
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- Last updated
- Oct 14, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Last checked Oct 14, 2026 at 1:15 PM. Trends move fast, so details may change. How we work · How we verify
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