The Equal Match

Ingo Arndt's Image

The guanaco turns, terrified, his last mouthful of grass flying in the wind as a female puma attacks. For Ingo, this is the culmination of months of work tracking wild pumas on foot, enduring extreme cold and biting winds. After an intense four-second struggle, the guanaco escaped with his life, leaving the puma to go hungry.

Because they are so abundant in Patagonia, guanacos are common prey of pumas. These big cats are solitary and hunt by patiently stalking before they pounce. Their robust hind legs allow them to take on animals bigger than themselves but they can also feed on smaller animals, such as rodents and birds.


Behind the lens

Ingo Arndt

Ingo Arndt

Germany

Since childhood, Ingo has spent all his free time outdoors, and after finishing school became a professional wildlife photographer. His work has been published in magazines such as GEO and National Geographic, and he’s received numerous awards, including from Wildlife Photographer of the Year, GDT and World Press Photo. After working mainly for the editorial market for 35 years, Ingo’s now producing photo series for the art market. He’s published 20 books, with several being translated into multiple languages.

Image details

  • Canon EOS-1DX Mark II
  • 600mm f4 lens
  • 1/3000 sec at f4  •   ISO 1000  •   Gitzo tripod
  • Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
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.

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