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

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, has just announced its winners. The prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year title goes to Italian photographer Federico Veronesi, who captured a female elephant carrying a deceased calf in Huab River Valley, Damaraland, Namibia.

The heartbreaking image, The Aftermath, is a powerful black-and-white photograph that, as researchers suggest, could show us how elephants understand death. This behaviour has been observed in Asia and Africa; researchers also say it could be interpreted as a sign of grief.

“This photograph works on so many levels. Emotionally it’s a gut punch, heartbreakingly poignant. Intellectually it’s proof that animals have cognition. This photograph says it all!” says Kathy Moran, Chair of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Jury.

Tech details
Gear: Nikon Z8 + Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
Exposure: 1/1000sec, f/2.8, ISO 72