Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Endangered Steps

At sunset in Etosha National Park, Namibia, a pangolin makes its way across the dry terrain, its scales catching the warm evening light. Pangolins are solitary and shy creatures, known for their unique, protective armor of overlapping scales. Tragically, they are the most trafficked mammals in the world, targeted for their scales and meat. This image captures one of nature's most fascinating animals in its natural habitat, a rare and fleeting moment in a landscape where survival is a daily challenge.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Namibia
Camera: NIKON Z 7_2
Copyright: © Alexandre Brisson