Handprint on Sea Turtle Picture Wins Environmental Photography Award 2026

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2026, and Winner, Changemakers, by Britta Jaschinski

 

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has introduced the winners of the Environmental Photography Award 2026. This 12 months’s prime honor went to wildlife photojournalist Britta Jaschinski, whose successful picture, “Handprint on Sea Turtle,” highlights the rising position of science and forensics in defending endangered species and combating wildlife crime.

The picture, which additionally received the “Changemakers” class, exhibits the sinister print made by a human hand on the shell of a inexperienced sea turtle. Handprints and fingerprints, blood and different bodily fluids, and gunpowder residues, amongst different issues, might be revealed utilizing particular fluorescent powder dyes and taking pictures underneath ultraviolet gentle. The methodology can safe invaluable forensic proof that helps to catch poachers and animal traffickers. “I am deeply grateful to HSH Prince Albert II and his Foundation for bringing us together in support of our precious planet,” stated Jaschinski. “It is a true honor to be named Environmental Photographer of the Year 2026, recognized by an esteemed jury among such distinguished work.”

Some of that distinguished work comes well-known underwater photographers within the DPG neighborhood. The winner of the “Ocean” class is Henley Spiers, who captures a wedge-tailed shearwater plunging right into a football-pitch-sized college of lanternfish off Costa Rica, whereas a runner-up within the class is Shane Gross, with a stupendous shot of education bigeye trevally underneath a stormy sky within the Seychelles.

Congratulations to all of the superb winners—examine them out on the competition website.

 

Winner, Ocean, by Henley Spiers

 

Runner-up, Ocean, by Shane Gross

 

Runner-up, Ocean, by Arnaud Farre

 

Winner, Humanity Vs Nature, by Fernando Faciole

 

Runner-up, Humanity Vs Nature, by Peter McGee