Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 winning images revealed

A heartbreaking image of an elephant carrying a dead calf has been named the overall winner of the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The image, named “The Aftermath,” was taken by Italian photographer Federico Veronesi. It shows a female elephant carrying the calf in Namibia, according to a statement from the Natural History Museum, which organizes the competition, on Tuesday. “This photograph works on so many levels. Emotionally it’s a gut punch, heartbreakingly poignant. Intellectually it’s proof that animals have cognition,” said Kathy Moran, chair of the competition’s jury, in the statement. Meanwhile, Oscar Whitfield won the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for his photo of a dung beetle pushing its prize. Named “Labour of Love,” Whitfield captured the image by lying flat on the ground as the beetle moved past his lens. “This is exceptionally well done.