Jaguar attacking alligator in Pantanal wins Sony Photography Prize

Every year, the Sony Photography Awards recognize the work of great photographers around the world. In 2024, in the open edition of the competition, the winning image in the Natural World & Wildlife category is of a Brazilian scene: the Pantanal.

The photo shows a jaguar attacking an alligator, both species present in the Brazilian biome. The author of the image is Ian Forda UK tour agent and travel photographer.

The history of the image

According to Ian Ford, the image was taken at the end of his stay in the Pantanal. He says he was already saying goodbye to the guesthouse he stayed at, on the São Lourenço River, when he heard comments that a jaguar had been spotted about 30 minutes away.

“We rushed to the location and found this elegant female stalking her prey. Our boat – and my camera – were perfectly positioned when she jumped an unsuspecting alligator,” said Ford.

Furthermore, the photographer also took other images during his visit to Brazil. In your portfoliohe publishes records of other animals typical of the Pantanal, such as the blue macaw, as well as other landscapes, such as the Iguaçu Falls.

About the Sony Photography Award

Despite having only one winner per theme, the Sony Photography Award highlights the talents and beauty from around the world. For example, in another image from the Natural World & Wildlife category, you can see two otters playing together just below the surface of the water.

“A photography was taken during golden hour, as the sun was setting behind the otter enclosure at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas,” explained photographer Jonathan McSwain.

In addition to the Natural World & Wildlife category, the award also recognizes work in other classifications. For example, there are the categories of Architecture, Creative, Landscape, Lifestyle, Motion, Object, Portrait, Street Photography, and Travel.

To see the participants and winners for all categories, just click here.