Made in Namibia by photographer Federico Veronesi, the image that won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year immortalizes a mother elephant and the drama of the death of her cub.
The black and white shot “The Aftermath” by Milanese photographer Federico Veronesi won over the jury of the prestigious prize of the Natural History Museum in London. A powerful and heartbreaking photograph, taken in the Huab River valley in Namibia, shows the empathy and grieving of animals.
The shot: “The Aftermath”
The winning photograph is a black and white work made in Namibia. Veronesi was following the tracks of a herd of elephants when he noticed some unusual drag marks imprinted on the sand.
Following the tracks, he came across an unforgettable scene: an adult elephant carefully carrying the now lifeless body of her calf, clutching it delicately between her trunk and tusks as she crossed the bed of a dry river.
A life dedicated to African wildlife
Federico Veronesi has deep roots. He grew up in a Milanese family of passionate naturalists and photographers. He has cultivated a love for animals and the wild nature of Africa since he was a child. After graduating, in 2002 he chose to move to Kenya to turn his passion into a profession, working as a photographer and safari guide.
Elephants occupy a special place in his artistic production and field research: he dedicated the photographic book to these majestic mammals Walk the Eartha five-year project documenting the lives of Africa’s last great elephants. With The AftermathVeronesi doesn’t just give the world a great shot, but a fundamental testimony on the pain and mourning of the animal kingdom.
