2017 Wildlife Photo Contest

Species: African Elephant | Location: Greater Makalali Private Reserve, South Africa

Rhinos are not the only animals being poached in South Africa—indeed, 2015 was the worst year for elephant poaching in Kruger National Park in decades. When rhino poachers are unsuccessful in locating a rhino, they may find an opportunity to kill an elephant, chop off the ivory and leave. As the various stakeholders in poaching-related conflicts work to create effective conservation solutions, community support and involvement is fundamental for the success of these efforts and protection of both animal and human life.

This photograph is one of the several thousand photographs taken on a Summer 2016 Stanford University BOSP Overseas Seminar to South Africa. We spent our time in private reserves and national parks in the northeastern part of South Africa, and I was one of seven photographers, working in partnership with one of seven writers to pursue a photojournalistic story on the human impact of poaching. I went on countless game drives (safaris!) and interviewed nature reserve owners, park rangers, and an ex-poacher, learning to adjust my approach to bring out their authentic feelings and expressions and reporting their unheard perspectives. Exploring on foot the villages that surround Kruger National Park helped me better understand the conditions that create and support poachers from these communities.