My favourite location on my African photo safari was Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and watching the elephants was my favourite thing to do. If I ever get an opportunity to go back, I would spend all my time in one place and get to know an elephant family.

The Serengeti provides endless opportunities to observe and experience wildlife interaction and elephant families are fascinating to watch. The mothers are so protective of their babies! I guess all mothers are like that, but the elephant mothers are always touching the babies with their trunks and pushing them underneath their bellies.

I loved the way this baby elephant touched his forehead to the mother’s leg as he took cautious steps while she bent her foot down to guide the way.

ETHICAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY STATEMENT

As a wildlife photographer, I put the animals first. It is important to me that I do nothing that would change an animal’s behaviour in any way, put any animal at risk, or cause harm to their habitat.

I respect the animals and their environments, and always aim to maintain a safe distance that does not interfere with their behaviour or cause them undue stress. I never bait or lure animals for the sake of a shot, and I do not manipulate the scene in any way that could alter the animal's natural behaviour. My goal is to capture the beauty and wonder of the natural world in an authentic and respectful way, while promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the animals that we share this planet with.

© Anne McKinnell

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