Ghost Town, Lone Hyena : Wim van den Heever Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year with Ghost Town Hyena

A solitary brown hyena, wandering the ruins of an abandoned diamond mining town in Namibia, has captured the world’s imagination. This eerie yet mesmerizing image, titled “Ghost Town Visitor,” was shot by South African photographer Wim van den Heever and has won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 award. The photograph, selected from a staggering 60,636 entries, depicts nature quietly reclaiming a space once dominated by humans. The image shows the rare brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) standing in front of a decaying building in Kolmanskop, bathed in soft light that highlights both the desolation of the town and the resilient presence of wildlife. The shot is celebrated not just for its aesthetic beauty, but also for the story it tells of the persistence of life in the face of human abandonment.A Decade of Patience and PrecisionCapturing the perfect wildlife photograph is rarely an instant achievement. For Wim van den Heever, this iconic shot was the result of ten years of meticulous effort. The photographer had observed the paw prints and scat of brown hyenas in Kolmanskop, a ghost town left behind after the Namibian diamond rush. Understanding that these elusive animals were nocturnal and largely solitary, he realized that traditional photography methods would not suffice. Van den Heever first spent several seasons watching from nearby buildings during dawn and dusk. When patience alone proved insufficient, he turned to camera trap technology, a remote system that captures images triggered by motion. Through trial, error, and enduring harsh desert winds and sandstorms, he finally captured the image he had envisioned. “After nearly a decade of patience and persistence, I finally captured the image of a brown hyena wandering through the silent ruins,” he said, highlighting the combination of dedication and technical skill behind the photograph.The Elusive Brown HyenaBrown hyenas are among the rarest hyena species in the world. Nocturnal and solitary by nature, they are rarely observed by humans. Kolmanskop, a town swallowed by sand after the diamond rush ended, has become an unexpected sanctuary for these creatures. The photograph reveals the hyena moving confidently through spaces once bustling with human activity, illustrating the resilience of wildlife even in areas long abandoned by humans. According to Kathy Moran, chair of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year jury, the image is a powerful example of how “wildlife has repopulated a town abandoned by humans.” The Technical WinThe photograph’s acclaim also lies in its technical mastery. Capturing a nocturnal, solitary animal in a dimly lit, abandoned environment is no small feat. Camera traps allowed van den Heever to photograph the hyena without human interference, ensuring authenticity in the shot. Over the years, he refined the setup to avoid false triggers caused by wind or shifting sand, ultimately achieving a perfectly composed image that balances eerie desolation with the quiet dignity of the animal. This meticulous approach underscores how modern wildlife photography often combines technology, science, and artistry, allowing humans to connect with species they may never see in the wild.A Haunting Yet Hopeful Vision“Ghost Town Visitor” transcends being just a wildlife photograph. It is a visual narrative of adaptation. The brown hyena becomes a symbol of survival in a world where human activity and neglect often push wildlife to the margins. Yet, even in abandoned towns, life lives quietly and beautifully. The photograph’s global recognition highlights the importance of storytelling in wildlife conservation. By evoking emotion and curiosity, images like these inspire both awareness and action, connecting audiences across continents to the fragile beauty of the natural world.The Wildlife Photographer of the Year award The Wildlife Photographer of the Year award is one of the most prestigious international recognitions in wildlife photography, organized annually by the Natural History Museum, London. Established in 1965, the award celebrates exceptional photography that captures the beauty, diversity, and vulnerability of the natural world. Entries come from professionals and amateurs across the globe, with images judged by an expert panel of wildlife photographers, scientists, and conservationists. The competition includes multiple categories, ranging from animal portraits and behavior to landscapes and photojournalism, highlighting both technical skill and storytelling. Winners receive global recognition, with their work exhibited at the Natural History Museum and published in the award’s accompanying book. Patience Meets the WildWim van den Heever’s award-winning photograph is proof of what can be achieved with patience, persistence, and respect for nature. For viewers, it is a hauntingly beautiful reminder that wildlife will continue to carve out its place, often in spaces humans have left behind. “Ghost Town Visitor” is more than a visual achievement; it is a story of endurance, adaptation, and coexistence, resonating deeply with all who care about the survival of species and the delicate balance of ecosystems. Through this remarkable image, the world witnesses not only the majesty of the brown hyena but also the profound lessons of patience, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of life even amid human absence.