The Mammal Behaviour Challenge 2025
We’re excited to showcase the highly commended, runner-up, and winning images selected for the Mammal Behaviour category in the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge, along with the camera settings used to capture these incredible images!
This year photographers were asked to capture wild mammals in their natural environments, highlighting their unique behaviours and intricate interactions. The challenge emphasised authentic, respectful photography with a no-baiting or captive mammal rule.
Missed the Mammal Behaviour Finalists video?
In case you missed it, here are the finalists from which the images below were chosen.
The Mammal Behaviour Challenge was judged by
Highly Commended
Elephant Standing Upright, by Gail Odendaal (Zimbabwe)
NIKON D850 with an 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 LENS
f/5.0 | 1/2000 | 105 mm | ISO 900
“This iconic image captures Boswell, the world-famous bull elephant of Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, performing his signature “upright” feeding manoeuver” – Gail
Highly Commended
Jackal Altercation, by Christa Heitmuller (South Africa)
CANON EOS R6 MARK II with an RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM LENS
f/5.3 | 1/2500 | 400 mm | ISO 500
“A pair of black backed jackal had claimed the Polentswa waterhole in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park as their dove hunting territory when a third jackal wanted to join in, resulting in a fight and one leaving tail between its legs” – Christa
Highly Commended
Mama Bear: Teacher and Protector, by Mary Olsen (USA)
NIKON Z7 with an NIKKOR 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR LENS
1/800 | 290 mm | ISO 320
“While in Alaska Mama bear was digging for clams. She heard some male bears in the distance and stood to better assess the situation. The cubs stood with her, looking towards the possible threat and looking at her for direction. This was my favourite moment as one cub is looking at Mama and the other appears to be looking into my camera. Apparently it was quite fortunate to capture 3 bears all standing, Mama and cubs.” – Mary
Highly Commended
Let’s Play, by Dorothea Früeh (Germany)
CANON EOS 80D with an 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary 015 LENS
f/6.0 | 1/320 | 232 mm | ISO 200
“Two lion cubs at the age of 2-2,5 months on a tree in the Serengeti, Tanzania.” – Dorothea
Highly Commended
Eye of the Predator, by Jay Shah (Canada)
SONY ALPHA 7R V with an FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS LENS
f/6.0 | 1/800| 600mm | ISO 3200
“In the darkened canopy, a quiet observer commands attention. Life, death, patience, and instinct intertwine in a single moment, leaving only the strongest to define the day.” – Jay
Highly Commended
Dik Dik Pride, by Janis Hurley (USA)
SONY A1 with a FE 1400mm F2.8 GM OSS LENS
f/3.0 | 1/2000 | 400 mm | ISO 2000
“We watched this pride in the Northern Mara napping in late afternoon. They were about 13 strong. As the sun lowered, six of the lions roused and went off to hunt a Poomba in a field beyond our trucks. The remaining six gathered atop the hill, keenly keeping watch on the hunt. Shortly, they streamed down the hill and off to join the pride.” – Janis
Highly Recommended
Hard to Crack, by Jennifer Smith (USA)
CANON EOS R5 MARK II with an RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM LENS
f/4.0 | 1/2000 | 400 mm | ISO 1600
“A clam proves to be a difficult thing to eat for this young Alaskan brown bear coy (cub of the year)” – Jennifer
Highly Commended
Hunting Skills, by John Mihopulos (Germany)
CANON EOS R1 with an RF600mm F4 IS USM LENS
f/4.0 | 1/4000 | 600mm | ISO 3200
“Serval cat is hunting in Namiri plains, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania” – John
Runner-Up
What it Takes, by Helena Conradie (South Africa)
CANON EOS R1 with an RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM LENS
f/3.0 | 1/100 | 400 mm | ISO 6400
“A young female leopard doing exactly what she needs to do to survive. South Luangwa, Zambia” – Helena
Our Challenge Winner
Anybody Home, by Jens Cullmann (Germany)
CANON EOS R3 with an EF500mm F4 L IS USM LENS
f/5.3 | 1/2500 | 500 mm | ISO 2500
“The image was made in March 2024 in Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. The pride of lions walked early morning away from the waterhole. The tortoise was just for a few seconds for interest to the lions, before they continued into the bushes” – Jens
Congratulations, Jens, on the well-deserved win!
You have won a 6-night stay for one person at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel or a $2,000 voucher to put towards any Pangolin Photo Safari including the ones detailed below!
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