Italian photographer Federico Veronesi has claimed the grand title at the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition with a poignant image of a female elephant carrying her dead calf in Namibia's Huab River valley. His striking work was also selected as the winner in the 'Mammals Behaviour' category.

According to the photographer, while tracking wildlife in the area, he noticed unusual dragging tracks left in the sand of a dry riverbed. Upon reaching the elephant herd, he finally understood the origin of these peculiar marks.

It was revealed that a female elephant within the group was carrying the lifeless body of her offspring. The calf's leg had reportedly become wedged between the mother's tusk and trunk, complicating their movement across the arid landscape.

Experts note that Asian and African elephants have frequently displayed complex behavioral responses to death. They often emit specific vocalizations, guard the bodies of deceased herd members, inspect their bones by touch, and on occasion, carry them over distances.

While certain researchers suggest these actions might indicate an understanding of mortality among elephants, others interpret the behavior as a potential manifestation of grief.

The 62nd Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is scheduled to open on October 16, 2026, at the Natural History Museum in London, running until July 11, 2027, before embarking on a wider tour across the UK and internationally.

Source: kun.uz