Wildlife Photographer Of The Year: Haunting Image of Brown Hyena Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025

A mesmerizing yet haunting image of a brown hyena wandering through the abandoned diamond-mining town of Kolmanskop in Namibia has earned South African photographer Wim van den Heever the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 award. The photograph, titled Ghost Town Visitor, was selected from more than 60,000 entries submitted by photographers across the globe, standing out for its emotional depth and technical brilliance.

The Winning Shot: A Decade in the Making

Wim van den Heever’s award-winning photograph captures the rare brown hyena navigating through a derelict building in the ghost town of Kolmanskop. Once a bustling hub during the early 20th-century diamond rush, the town is now reclaimed by sand and silence — an eerie backdrop that amplifies the sense of isolation in the image.

The photographer revealed that the shot was the result of nearly a decade of patient tracking and careful preparation. Using a camera trap setup, van den Heever positioned his equipment strategically within the ruins, anticipating the elusive creature’s path. His perseverance paid off when the brown hyena, one of the world’s rarest carnivores, appeared under the dim desert light, creating a frame that tells a powerful story of resilience and coexistence.

Symbolism and Message Behind the Image

Organizers of the competition praised the photograph for its haunting portrayal of how wildlife continues to adapt and reclaim spaces once dominated by humans. The juxtaposition of the animal against decaying man-made structures evokes a deeper reflection on environmental balance and the passage of time.

Judges described Ghost Town Visitor as “a perfect blend of narrative and aesthetics,” capturing the fragile boundary between nature and human history. The image not only celebrates artistic excellence but also raises awareness about the resilience of species that survive amid changing landscapes.

The Brown Hyena: A Rare and Resilient Species

The brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) is listed as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. With an estimated population ranging between 4,000 and 10,000 individuals, this species is primarily found in the arid regions of southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, and parts of South Africa.

Despite its ghostly reputation and nocturnal habits, the brown hyena plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as a scavenger, maintaining ecological balance by cleaning up carcasses. However, threats such as habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal hunting continue to endanger its survival.

Recognition and Impact on Conservation Photography

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London, remains one of the most prestigious platforms for celebrating nature photography. Each year, it showcases images that highlight the beauty, complexity, and fragility of the natural world.

Van den Heever’s achievement is a testament to how modern wildlife photography can transcend aesthetics to inspire awareness and change. His haunting image serves as a visual reminder that nature endures — even in the forgotten corners of human history.