Battling white rhinos, an itty-bitty frog, and wildebeest that appear to line up for a portrait. These are the winning entries in the inaugural photo contest from the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), celebrating its 60th anniversary.
The Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards are named in honor of the late former President of Tanzania. Mkapa was a conservation leader and one of the AWF’s longest-serving board members.
Entries were received from nearly 9,000 entries from 50 countries worldwide, including 10 countries in Africa.
The Youth International Winner is “Mountain Gorilla,” above, shot by Zander Galli, 15, of Miami. Galli took the photo in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. In 2018, AWF donated land to the government in Rwanda to increase habitat for gorillas next to the park. As ape populations have increased, tourism has helped give financial support to local residents.
Galli describes the winning image:
Speaking at the ceremonies in Nairobi, Kenya, to launch the anniversary celebration and announce the photo contest winners, AWF CEO Kaddu Sebunya said, “Through the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards, AWF is committed to finding, helping, and amplifying the authentic African voices advocating against the destruction of Africa’s natural wildlife heritage. We are dedicated to defining and refining Africa’s agendas for conservation and development, and to represent these voices—trumpet these voices loudly—around the world.”
The winning photos will be on display at the Nairobi National Museum through mid-January 2022 and will be featured in a traveling exhibition through Africa, North America, Asia, and Europe.
Here’s a look at some of the other winners.
Grand Prize Winner
“Utopia”
The grand prize winner is “Utopia," a gelada primate and baby photographed in the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, by Riccardo Marchegiani of Ancona, Italy. Marchegiani describes his winning image:
Coexistence and Conflict Winner
“Elephant Orphans of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary”
Orphan elephants at the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Samburu, Kenya, made the perfect subjects for James Lewin of Nanyuki, Kenya.
Conservation Heroes Winner
“Mércia Angela, Wildlife Veterinarian and Pangolin”
A veterinarian and a pangolin posed for Jen Guyton of Mainz, Germany, in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique.
African Wildlife at Risk Winner
“White Rhinoceros”
Ingrid Vekemans of Wakkerzeel, Belgium, photographed these battling rhinos in the Solio Game Reserve, Mount Kenya, Kenya.
Fragile Wilderness Winner
“Waterfall and Baobab Tree”
Patience was key for Anette Mossbacher of Bergdietikon, Switzerland, as she waited for the perfect shot in Ruacana Falls, Namibia.
African Wildlife Portraits Winner
“African Savanna Elephants”
Kevin Dooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, photographed these elephants in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa.
African Wildlife Behavior Winner
“A Turbulent Swim”
Buddhilini de Soyza of Sydney watched cheetahs as they crossed a roaring river in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
African Wildlife Backyards Winner
“Hand in Hand With Conservation”
Javier Lobón-Rovira of Madrid captured this image of a Doliot’s bright-eyed frog in Madagascar.
Art in Nature Winner
“Galaxy”
Paul Mckenzie of Hong Kong took this photo of lesser flamingos in Lake Natron, Tanzania. The lake area is a key breeding ground for hundreds of thousands of pink flamingoes, as well as many other species.
Youth in Africa Winner
“Wildebeest”
Cathan Moore, 17, of Hoedspruit, South Africa, photographed these wildebeest in the Timbavati Nature Reserve in South Africa.
