In Graphis Photography Annual 2009, the platinum award-winning work by Brent Stirton stirred much emotion. On an assignment for Newsweek magazine, Stirton captures the horror of poaching in Africa.
Here is Stirton’s caption: “Conservation rangers from an anti-poaching unit work with locals to evacuate the bodies of four mountain gorillas mysteriously killed in Virunga National Park, Eastern Congo. A silverback alpha male was shot and three females were also killed. Two of the females had babies and the other was pregnant. The two babies were not found, and it is thought that they may have also died of stress and dehydration. It is suspected that the killings are politically motivated. The local, illegal charcoal industry clashes with conservation efforts in this poor area, and rangers have been threatened, tortured and killed as a result of this clash of political and economic wills.”
To see more images from Photography Annual 2009, visit Graphis Store.
