Aishwarya Sridhar is a wildlife photographer, presenter and filmmaker from India. In 2020, she became the first Indian woman to win Wildlife Photographer of the Year. She's a National Geographic Explorer and her work has been featured in BBC Wildlife and Sanctuary Asia.
- "I was attacked by a swarm of wasps in a bamboo forest in South Korea. I still remember how fast I had to run."
- How to win Wildlife Photographer of the Year – expert advice from the Chair of the Jury
When did your interest in wildlife start?
India is very biodiverse, home to about 8 per cent of the world’s species. I grew up in the foothills of Matheran, exploring the forest with my magnifying glass and binoculars.
Every weekend I would go with my dad to our local wetlands, where we would spend hours observing lesser flamingos. Every adventure left me wanting more.
What’s been your most memorable encounter with wildlife?
I was with a team filming leopards in Jhalana, Rajasthan, when we got a call from our producer that a leopard was attacking an Indian blue bull. Blue bulls are three times the size of a leopard, so I thought he was pulling my leg.
Arriving at the location, I could see the bull with its head bent into the grass, but no sign of any hunt. The bull then lifted its head and – boom! The leopard was hanging from its neck like a huge mango on a tree. After a long struggle, the cat overcame its quarry. It was nature at its rawest.
Have you had any hairy experiences?
When I was 13, I was so focused on taking photos of flamingos that I didn’t realise I was sinking into quicksand. I was waist-deep before my dad yanked me out. Talk about getting stuck in the moment…
Have you any epic fails to share?
Yes, while photographing leopards. We had been tracking a male for four days and had finally spotted him. At exactly that moment, I snagged my trousers on a nail in the vehicle. They tore right down the back, meaning that if I stood up, everyone would have had an all-access view of my behind.
I had nothing to cover up with, so had to sit frozen in a half-squat, knowing the leopard was scent-marking right behind me. I didn’t get a single shot.
What is your favourite subject?
Primates. Photographing them is like a masterclass in expression. They mimic human quirks: one moment, they’re throwing tantrums; the next, they’re sharing a moment of contemplation.
They also demonstrate incredible familial bonds, whether a playful tug-of-war or a tender grooming session. Those moments are pure magic to capture.
- Chimp video shows one of the most complex tool-use behaviours by wild animals ever documented
- Humans are not the only animals to wipe their bums – stunned scientists film chimps wiping their nether regions with leaves
Which species continues to elude you?
At home, the rusty-spotted cat. It is one of the smallest wild cats in the world and is primarily found in the dry forests and grasslands of India. Abroad, there are many on my bucket list, including polar bears, Humboldt penguins and Komodo dragons.
What’s been your closest call?
Filming undercover in Bangkok’s Chatuchak market. We were documenting the illegal sale of star tortoises, and the shopkeepers sensed our intentions and gave chase. We only just managed to get away.
What’s been your fondest memory?
I was once waiting for an Asiatic lioness to emerge with her newborn cubs. She appeared atop a hill with something in her mouth. I thought it was a kill but, when I focused my camera, I realised she was carrying a cub – not by the scruff of its neck but by its legs.
It reflected her inexperience as a first-time mother. Her pride welcomed the newborn with so much love and care. It was such an emotional moment.
What’s the worst level of physical discomfort you’ve had to endure?
Photographing fireflies in Bhandardara. I was battling an incredibly painful menstrual cycle and couldn’t go to the loo. Fireflies are active for just a few days before the monsoon, and I had to capture them against a moonless sky, so the shoot could not be moved. It was all worth it in the end, though.
Which items are you never without?
Sunscreen, spare batteries and a spare memory card.
Any top tips for budding photographers?
Practice. The more you shoot, the more you get to know your camera and the better you can handle any unexpected situations that might require a speedy reaction.
See Aishwarya's work at aishwaryasridhar.com.
- “I camera-trapped the Congo jungle for a year. These are my best photos”
- “I’ve been frozen like an ice block, overheated to the point of melting and immersed in water for hours.”
- “I ripped off my trousers and stood there screaming.” Wildlife photographer on being accosted by driver ants in Rwanda
- “We stopped to let a herd of elephants cross the road. One huge bull decided he didn’t like us.”
