Here Are 15 Breathtaking Entries From The 2024 Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Awards

Bored Panda reached out to Ian Ford, the photographer behind the captivating image of a jaguar delivering a deadly bite to a caiman’s skull. This dramatic photograph caught our attention, making us eager to learn more about it from the photographer himself.

We were especially curious about how Ford would describe the moment just before the jaguar struck. The photographer kindly shared with us: “We had been following the female jaguar as she hunted along the edge of the river. She had climbed onto the riverbank and was moving slowly in and out of the dense forest, so we kept losing sight of her. Suddenly, she burst from the bank and launched herself at the unsuspecting caiman. I think we were almost as shocked as the caiman!”

When asked about unexpected interactions or challenges the photographer experienced with the wildlife during the shoot, Ian responded: “Jaguars are elusive creatures and blend extremely well with their habitat, so patience is crucial. The biggest challenge was the shoot itself. I was in a small, narrow boat on a fast-flowing river moving in the opposite direction to the jaguar. We had to constantly reposition the boat as she progressed along the river. On top of that, there were about a dozen other boats with photographers, all vying for the best position. The uncertainty of whether and when she would strike added to the tension. I positioned myself as low in the hull as possible, camera at the ready, waiting for the moment.”

Many photographers dream of capturing their ‘bucket shot,’ and when they finally see it on their camera’s preview screen, it must bring a rush of excitement and accomplishment. We were curious if that was the case for Ford as well. Here’s what we learned: “My first thought was, ‘Did I get the shot?’—everything happened so quickly. As I scrolled through the images on my camera, I was thrilled to see that not only were they sharp, but I had also captured a few frames of the jaguar looking directly at the lens. I knew right away that I had some truly special shots, and I was absolutely delighted.”

Finally, we asked Ian how ‘Deadly Bite’ fits into the broader context of his body of work. The photographer shared with us: “I believe it fits perfectly within my portfolio. I’ve been fortunate to travel to many incredible destinations, capturing both wildlife and landscape photography. These jaguar images complement my other wildlife work, and they’ve definitely inspired me to pursue more impactful shots like this. It has deepened my motivation to continue capturing powerful moments in nature.”