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21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Building up the Herd

A wildebeest gives birth on the Serengeti plains as part of the great migration. The drama of life and death plays out on the migration every day, but the birth of new calves is one of the most poignant moments. Many of these calves are destined to become quick meals for the local predators, but by sheer numbers, the wildebeest wins out in growing their herd – which is well over a million individuals. In this case, the calf was stillborn. Moments after I took this photograph, I watched the mother’s frantic efforts to revive her offspring, eventually giving way to a mournful acceptance of its loss. Photographed in the Serengeti, Tanzania in January of 2023.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Tanzania
Camera: Canon EOS R3
Copyright: © Nathan Myhrvold