How did your career start?
I’ve always loved photography, and started by taking black and white images, developing them in my darkroom at home. When my wife, Sue, and I got together in 2003, we travelled across Africa. That kick-started my interest in wildlife.
- “We both heard a faint knock. We looked at each other, opened the door and glanced down.”
- “I was photographing seabirds on a remote island off Norway. Then a huge predator appeared from nowhere”
You now specialise in Africa. Which is the continent’s star species for you?
It took years for me to see wild dogs, so I find them very rewarding. Their family bonds, playful pups and uniquely patterned coats make every sighting special.
- 17 beautiful photographs of this wild canine, also known as painted dogs
- When lions raided wild dog dens in Botswana, wildlife guides didn’t expect to see this
What other species have you found challenging to capture?
Western lowland gorillas in Congo’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park. After four hours of tracking through dense forest, Sue and I finally found them in the trees. They were some distance away and the light was terrible – they were just silhouettes.
They’d probably been running away from other gorillas, and were stubbornly staying put. At the last minute, the silverback slid effortlessly down a vine and I got my shots.
What species is still on your bucket list?
Pangolins in the wild. They’re nocturnal and are notoriously elusive. I’ve covered a story about a brilliant pangolin rehabilitation sanctuary in Zimbabwe, which was a real privilege, but I’d also love to photograph them at night, when they’re at home and in their natural environment.
Any major ‘Oh drat it’ moments?
Yes! I was working in Ruaha, Tanzania, and came across leopards mating, which is incredibly rare. It had been a manic day and I stupidly hadn’t checked my SD card. Just as the cats were getting it on, my card ran out, and it was too dark to find another one. I just had to enjoy the moment.
What’s been your most exciting story?
In 2016, I covered the start of African Parks’ #500Elephants project, which translocated 500 elephants from Liwonde and Majete to Nkhotakota, all in Malawi. Watching nine elephants being darted and winched onto trucks was insanely intense.
We arrived at Nkhotakota just in time to photograph all nine, led by their matriarch, leaving their enclosure to explore their new home. No one else witnessed the event.
What’s been your biggest no-show?
Pumas in Patagonia. They should be easier to see in July, the freezing winter, because guanacos (their favourite prey) descend to the lower slopes. We spent four days trekking mountainous terrain in sub-zero temperatures, with no success. On the final day, the spotter told us to rush to a particular hillside, but there was no sign of any pumas. We later discovered we’d been sent in the wrong direction.
- "It erupts from its hiding place in a lightning attack and sprints to catch up with and overpower its prey with ruthless efficiency"
- "They can eat almost anything." Pumas caught hunting surprising prey on coast of Patagonia
What’s been your closest shave?
We were searching for shoebill storks in Bangweulu, Zambia, an area resembling a mini Okavango Delta, when a hippo burst from the inky black water right next to our ‘banana boat’. Just as suddenly, it disappeared into the narrow channel.
Then our boatman shouted out: he’d accidentally knocked the hippo with his pole while trying to steer us to safety. Thankfully, the hippo stayed underwater – we were extremely lucky.
What’s your one piece of advice to budding wildlife photographers?
Be patient. We were reporting on Cecil’s cubs a year after the much-loved lion was killed by trophy hunters in Zimbabwe. After a week, we finally found his pride fast asleep in the midday sun.
Sleeping lions are boring to photograph, so we stayed in the Land Cruiser waiting for them to stir. Five searingly hot hours later, they started bonding, grooming and playing together – it was an absolute joy to photograph. Our patience definitely paid off.
What’s your favourite piece of gear?
My kit bag – a Lowepro 350AW that I’ve had for about 15 years. It’s had various repairs and looks decidedly shabby, but still does the job perfectly.
Will is a wildlife photographer from the UK. See his work at suewatt.co.uk.
