Federico Veronesi's Photograph of a Grieving Elephant Carrying a Stillborn Calf on the Maasai Mara

For two decades, Federico Veronesi, a wildlife photographer, has led fellow photographers in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and various locations throughout Africa. The striking image at the heart of this Guardian 'best photograph' feature depicts a female elephant cradling a stillborn calf that is not her own. Veronesi noted that the elephant held the lifeless calf for hours, having experienced a miscarriage two years prior and now tending to the stillborns of other mothers. Originally from Milan, his passion for African wildlife stems from a childhood surrounded by nature books and a memorable safari in Kenya at six, which left him in tears on the return flight. While he has spent the last 20 years in Africa, his preferred subjects remain elephants, admired for their majestic presence and adaptability across various habitats. This photograph is part of the Guardian's series where photographers reflect on a pivotal image.