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In a stunning showcase of talent and dedication, Wim van den Heever has been crowned the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 for his remarkable image of a brown hyena, a species renowned for its elusive nature. Captured in the abandoned diamond mining town of Kolmanskop, Namibia, this poignant photograph represents a decade of perseverance in capturing the rarely seen creature in its natural habitat. The award ceremony took place at London’s Natural History Museum, where the annual exhibition will open on 17 October, presenting a collection of award-winning works that highlight the beauty and fragility of wildlife.
Capturing the Elusive Brown Hyena
Wim van den Heever’s journey to this prestigious accolade was not without its challenges. After discovering fresh hyena tracks in the ghost town of Kolmanskop, he set up a camera trap, hoping to document the creature that had evaded him for years. “I knew they were there, but actually photographing one was just never going to happen,” he confessed, illustrating the difficulty of capturing a species that thrives in solitude and darkness. This image not only showcases the beauty of the brown hyena but also sheds light on the importance of preserving their diminishing habitats.
A Celebration of Young Talent
The competition also recognised young photographers, with Andrea Dominizi from Italy winning the Junior Grand Prize for his evocative piece titled “After the Destruction.” Shot in the Lepini Mountains, this photograph of a beetle resting on a cut log serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of habitat destruction. Andrea remarked, “This photo shows the story and challenge faced by many animal species: habitat loss,” a sentiment that resonates deeply in today’s environmental discussions.
Diverse Categories Highlight Global Wildlife
The awards featured a variety of categories, showcasing the diversity of wildlife across the globe. Shane Gross, hailing from Canada, won in the Animals in their Environment category with “Like an Eel out of Water,” depicting peppered moray eels scavenging at low tide on D’Arros Island, Seychelles. Meanwhile, Jamie Smart, a budding photographer from the UK, captured an orb-weaver spider in her entry for the 10 Years and Under category, aptly titled “The Weaver’s Lair.”
Other notable winners include Sebastian Frölich, who highlighted the critical state of Austria’s wetland ecosystems with “Vanishing Pond,” and Ralph Pace, whose underwater photograph of a swell shark egg case revealed crucial insights into the reproductive habits of marine species under threat from habitat loss.
The Impact of Photography on Conservation
With each photograph telling a unique story, the awards serve to remind us of the intricate connections between wildlife and their environments. From Lubin Godin’s “Alpine Dawn,” featuring an Alpine ibex in the Haute-Savoie region of France, to Jon A. Juárez’s poignant coverage of rhino conservation efforts in Kenya, these images not only capture beauty but also raise awareness about the urgent need for conservation action.
Why it Matters
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition does more than celebrate artistic prowess; it acts as a powerful platform for environmental advocacy. Each award-winning image is a call to action, urging society to confront the pressing issues of habitat loss and biodiversity decline. In a world increasingly affected by climate change, these photographers illuminate the urgent narratives of our planet’s wildlife, reminding us of our responsibility to cherish and protect the natural world for future generations.
