Wildlife

Baby southern white rhino, a product of the successful breeding programme at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda – the only place in the country that rhinos roam free, albeit with round the clock protection. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

This zebra in Addo Elephant Park in South Africa was oblivious to our presence as we drove alongside. You can see our reflection in its eye! Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

This was my first encounter with endangered African Wild Dogs (AKA Painted Dogs), and it was awesome. There are less than 7000 of these sociable predators surviving in the wild, with their habitats becoming increasingly fragmented due to human development. So I was privileged to have seen them at Madikwe in South Africa. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Ugandan Kob in profile, guarding his patch in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s mating ground area. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

A cool, calm and collected Vervet monkey has a sundown snack, Uganda. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

This Rothschild giraffe in Uganda is one of just 700 individuals remaining in the wild. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Expert fisherman captured in action…. Pied Kingfisher in Uganda. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

An adult silverback Mountain Gorilla has a moment of peace. Watching these magnificent animals in their natural environment is one of life’s great experiences. Such gentle giants – so powerful yet so calm. Less than 900 mountain gorillas remain in the wild. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Pensive chimpanzee at Kibale National Park, Uganda.

One of my most thrilling wildlife encounters. This male leopard noticed me taking his photo, descended from his perch, charged and snarled at our vehicle. It got my heart racing… Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Magnificent male lion, the master of all he surveys in Madikwe, South Africa. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Beautiful leopard in the early evening light, Madikwe, South Africa. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Giraffes use their long necks to reach the highest branches for a snack. This one looks like it is playing hide and seek, not very convincingly. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Ethiopia’s endemic and endangered Ethiopian Wolf. Less than 450 of these canids survive in the wild, in just a handful of isolated locations in the Ethiopian Highlands. This individual was photographed in the Bale Mountains – the species’ stronghold – yet even here just 200 remain, as they’re threatened by habitat loss (due to expansion of agriculture and grazing) and diseases from domestic dogs. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Elephants are marvellous animals to observe – being intelligent, social and displaying a whole gamut of emotions. Here a mother and her calf share a moment of intimacy. Madikwe, South Africa. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Elephant family group in Madikwe, South Africa. These herds are led by a senior female, a matriarch, that uses their memory and nous to lead their family to food and water. Amazing animals! Madikwe, South Africa. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.

Elephants have such amazingly textured skin – patterned and gnarled and braided, like a river from above. This canvas makes for some interesting compositions when factoring in harsh sunlight and shadows from nearby trees. Copyright Tom Broadhurst.