Verbatim’s Brent Stirton Named Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017

South African photojournalist Brent Stirton has been named Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his image “Memorial to a Species”, which also won the Wildlife Photojournalist Award: Story category.

The photograph is part of a photo essay that attempts to look at the environmental crisis caused by Asia’s appetite for Rhino horn. The horn is part of an ancient Asian medical system and today is considered a curative for everything from cancer to kidney stones. Rhino horn is now worth more than gold and the poaching crisis is a perfect storm of that value playing out in the most corrupt wildlife systems with some of the poorest poachers as well as rhino ranchers who see millions of dollars in pushing to legalise the trade. South Africa is the main repository of the world’s remaining rhino, figure less than 20,000 animals. South Africa is on track to lose over 1600 animals this year, a figure that has risen every year since 2006 when less than 20 animals were killed for their horns. This essay examines the crisis along the Mozambique/South African border where daily incursions by armed poachers has resulted in a war which plays out inside Kruger National Park, the largest reserve for rhino in the world.

'Memorial to a Species' 

Brent Stirton is a South African Photographer with an extensive history in the documentary world. Brent’s work has been published by National Geographic Magazine, GEO, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Time, The New York Times Magazine, The UK Sunday Times Magazine and many other respected international titles. He has also worked for WWF, CNN, the Ford, Clinton and Gates Foundations, the Nike Foundation and the World Economic Forum. He has done numerous commercial assignments including annual reports for Novartis.  He remains committed to issues relating to wildlife and conservation, global health, diminishing cultures, sustainability and the environment. 

Aidan Sullivan, founder and CEO of Verbatim, said: “We are delighted for Brent and proud to represent such a dedicated and talented photojournalist.  His striking photographs tell these important stories in such a compelling and emotive way it’s no surprise that he has claimed this highly prestigious prize again. Commercial organisations can work with photographers like Brent, through Verbatim, to bring their social impact and CSR stories to life in a truly authentic way.”