Chimpanzee

Frans Lanting's Image

Seeking relief from the intense summer heat, a male chimpanzee prepares to enter a seasonal pool in a remote corner of West Africa.

I joined researchers there conducting a first study of chimps who live in open savanna woodlands—rather than deep forest—and was able to document behavior never photographed before.

Behind the lens

Frans Lanting

Frans Lanting

The Netherlands

Over more than three decades Frans has set the standard for photographers. His images have been consistently original, characterised by signature eye-level perspectives and sophisticated lighting techniques. His many honours include the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, a Fellowship to the Royal Photographic Society, Sweden’s Lennart Nilsson Award and The Netherlands’ highest conservation honour, the Royal Order of the Golden Ark.

Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.

More images from Frans Lanting

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Elephants at Twilight Winner
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Ghost Trees Winner

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