The Mammal Behaviour Challenge 2024

We’re excited to showcase the highly commended, runner-up, and winning images selected for the Mammal Behaviour category in the 2024 Pangolin Photo Challenge, along with the camera settings used to capture these incredible images!

This year photographers were asked to capture wild mammals in their natural environments, highlighting their unique behaviours and intricate interactions. The challenge emphasised authentic, respectful photography with a no-baiting or captive mammal rule.

The winner of this category will receive a 6-night stay for one person at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel or a $2,000 voucher to put towards any other Pangolin Photo Safari on our website!

You can view the video here, then share your thoughts on who you think should win. Afterward, take a look at the stunning images below to see if your predictions were on point.

Canon R6ii with a 100-500 lens

f/6.3 | 1/2500 | 343 mm | ISO 640

Photographed in the early morning light of Botswana‘s Tuli Block, this striking image portrays the intense and often ruthless behaviour of jackals scavenging around a lion kill. As the pack gathers, one black-backed jackal has successfully claimed a piece of the spoils, fiercely defending its prize from the others. The photograph beautifully captures this moment of tension and survival. The warm orange hues of the morning sun bathe the scene, casting a dramatic spotlight on the triumphant jackal and highlighting the raw instinctive behaviours of these opportunistic mammals.

NIKON Z 9 with a VR 200-400mm f/4G lens

f/4 | 1/1000 | 200 mm | ISO 1400

An adult male and female Bengal Tiger engage in a series of brief but brutal fights in Bandhavgarh National Park, India. The image captures the raw power and intensity of these predators, frozen in a moment of fierce confrontation. The sharp focus and dynamic composition highlight the tension and aggression of the battle, showcasing the dramatic nature of their interaction.

ILCE-7M4 with a FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens

f/2.8 | 1/400 | 24 mm | ISO 20000

A hyena waits patiently beneath a leopard feeding on an impala kill high up in a tree, with the fading light of the setting sun in the background. This moment captures the tension between predator and scavenger, as the hyena hopes for any scraps that might fall. A truly once-in-a-lifetime sighting, beautifully showcasing the delicate balance of life in the wild.

ILCE-7M3 with an FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens

f/13 | 1/1000 | 253 mm | ISO 1600

Two brown bears clash over a salmon, each determined to secure their catch. The image captures the raw power and intensity of the fight, showcasing the competitive nature of these predators in their natural environment.

Canon EOS R5 with an RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens

f/7.1 | 1/3200 | 500 mm | ISO 1600

Captured in Madikwe, this image shows an impala leaping and kicking with energy as it practices its escape manoeuvres. Doug positioned himself near a drainage ditch along the road to photograph this incredible moment, showcasing the impala’s agility and speed. Known for their impressive jumping ability, impalas can leap 10 feet in the air, helping them evade predators!

ILCE-1 with a FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens

f/8 | 1/1250 | 400 mm | ISO 4000

Another image taken in Madikwe, South Africa; this image shows three painted dog puppies playfully piled on top of each other as one tries to hold onto its prize. The playful yet competitive behaviour of the puppies showcases the early stages of social dynamics and pack interaction in these highly social predators.

Canon EOS R6 with an EF16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens

f/3.5 | 1/400 | 35 mm | ISO 100

Photographed in the Masai Mara North Reserve, this image showcases an extraordinary interaction between a bull hippo and a pack of hyenas. After one hippo fatally injured another, the hyenas arrived to scavenge, only to face off with the victorious bull hippo, who charged in to defend the carcass. The tense standoff between the hyenas and the hippo, with the hyenas feeding when the hippo retreated and scattering whenever it returned, is a striking display of survival instincts. This dramatic moment highlights the raw power and determination of both predator and scavenger in the wild.

NIKON Z 8 with a VR 150-600mm f/5-6.3E lens

f/8 | 1/2000 | 240 mm | ISO 2200

Captured on the Cuiaba River in the Pantanal, this image shows a Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) feasting on a catfish. Known for their strong social structure, Giant Otters live in family groups and rely on teamwork for hunting and feeding. This otter’s meal is part of their diet, which primarily consists of fish, highlighting the otter’s role as a skilled predator in its aquatic environment.

ILCE-1 with a FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens

f/2.8 | 1/2500 | 400 mm | ISO 1000

Photographed by Lukas Walter, an accountant from Switzerland, this image captures a young lion attempting to catch a dove near a waterhole early in the morning. The lion’s focus is on the bird, but despite its best efforts, the hunt is unsuccessful. Lions are known for their cooperative hunting strategies, but young lions often practice solo hunting to refine their skills before joining the pride’s coordinated efforts.

NIKON Z 9 with a NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens

f/4 | 1/1250 | 560 mm | ISO 900

Congratulations to Donald Chin, the winner of our Mammal Behaviour category! This image shows a raccoon scouting for food in the river, spotting a few dragonflies and attempting to catch them as they take off from the water’s surface. Known for their dexterous front paws, raccoons are skilled foragers and can manipulate objects with impressive precision. This shot beautifully captures the raccoon’s curiosity and determination in its quest for food.

Congratulations, Donald, on the well-deserved win!

You have won a 6-night stay for one person at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel or a $2,000 voucher to put toward any Pangolin Photo Safari! Please contact challenge@pangolinphoto.com to claim your prize.

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