Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Thomas Godwin (United Kingdom)

Puma up close

'Last year, I went to Los Llanos with my family. It's a big plain in central Venezuela, with many animals. We were on a drive to look at wildlife when we saw this young puma in a small tree. It was calm, not at all aggressive. It even yawned and stretched before looking directly at me.' Also known as a cougar and mountain lion, the puma is a secretive cat. It lives alone, not in groups, from southern Canada to South America. It belongs to the family of small cats, including lynx and wildcat, all of which have been hunted for their coats or sport. Unlike its big cat relatives, the puma cannot roar.

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W1 + Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 7.9-22.7mm f2.8-5.2 lens; automatic speed and exposure.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.