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Wildlife Photographer of 2025

21 Oct, 2025 7
Wim van den Heever

There are moments that remind us exactly why we do what we do, and this is one of them.

A heartfelt congratulations to South Africa’s very own Wim van den Heever, officially crowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 by the Natural History Museum in London! This accolade is so much more than a title. It represents years of patience, persistence, and pure passion for the wild, countless hours spent chasing light, braving the elements, and waiting for the moment that takes your breath away.

Wim van den Heever's image that made him won "Wildlife Photographer of 2025"

Wim’s award-winning image, “Ghost Town Visitor,” captures a brown hyena standing alert amidst the misty remains of Kolmanskop, a once-bustling diamond-mining town in Namibia, now surrendered to sand and silence. The haunting beauty of the scene, a wild creature reclaiming a forgotten human space, earned Wim not only the Adult Grand Title Winner 2025, but also the Urban Wildlife Category award.

Judges described the image as deeply atmospheric and profoundly symbolic. “It once was but is no longer a human-dominated environment,” reflected Kathy Moran, Chair of the Jury. “Abandoned by miners, wildlife has taken over. Repopulated, if you will. Is it still a town? It would seem that way to me, just no longer ours.

Perhaps what makes this image most remarkable is the story behind it. Wim dedicated ten years to perfecting this shot, a decade of patience, curiosity, and quiet pursuit. It is a masterclass in perseverance and creative vision.

Beyond its aesthetic power, Ghost Town Visitor draws attention to the brown hyena, a species listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. These elusive scavengers, found mostly in desolate landscapes, play an essential role in restoring balance to fragile ecosystems, even in places where nature is slowly reclaiming what was once lost.

Wim’s work has always been about more than photography. It is storytelling in its purest form, emotional, authentic, and deeply respectful of the wild. His images remind us of the beauty that endures, the resilience of nature, and our shared responsibility to protect it.

We have had the immense privilege of working alongside Wim, witnessing the dedication and quiet precision behind every frame. His craft is as humbling as it is inspiring.

Here is to celebrating the art, the journey, and the wild places that continue to connect us all.

Congratulations, Wim, this recognition could not be more deserved.