A grieving female elephant carrying a stillborn baby: Federico Veronesi’s best photograph
Wildlife photographer Federico Veronesi discusses his award-winning image of a female elephant carrying a stillborn calf in Namibia. The article explores the emotional depth of elephants and the photographer's long-standing connection to African wildlife.
Why it matters
The piece provides insight into animal behavior and the intersection of wildlife conservation and artistic photography.
‘People sometimes think it’s a young elephant hugging its mother’ … Federico Veronesi’s award-winning photograph. Photograph: Wildlife photographer of the Year 2026 ‘People sometimes think it’s a young elephant hugging its mother’ … Federico Veronesi’s award-winning photograph. Photograph: Wildlife photographer of the Year 2026 My best shot Art and design A grieving female elephant carrying a stillborn baby: Federico Veronesi’s best photograph ‘She carried the dead calf for hours even though it wasn’t hers. She had had a miscarriage two years before – and now picked up the stillborn babies of other mothers’
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