Swiss photographer Hussain Aga Khan has earned high commendation in the 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his striking underwater portrait of an Amazon river dolphin, also known as a boto. The image, titled "A Closer Look," was selected as photograph 44 of 100 in the prestigious competition's underwater category, which celebrates photographs that reveal life beneath the water's surface while maintaining exceptional aesthetic quality.
Khan's remarkable portrait captures a gracefully agile Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) in its natural habitat near a pontoon along the Rio Negro river in Manaus, Brazil. The photographer used a Canon EOS R5 camera with an 8-15mm f4 fisheye lens, shooting at 1/125 second at f6.3 with ISO 2000 to achieve the stunning underwater composition. The image showcases the boto within the context of its specific underwater location, demonstrating both the animal's natural behavior and the unique environment it inhabits.
The photograph was taken in an area where wildlife tourism has created a complex conservation situation. Tourists can pay to feed these wild dolphins, which raises important questions about the impact of wildlife tourism on animal behavior and conservation. While such tourism activities may help boost public interest in conservation efforts, they can potentially cause harm if the botos become dependent on human feeding rather than hunting for their natural prey.
The conservation challenges facing Amazon river dolphins are severe and well-documented. In Brazil's Mamirauá Reserve, the boto population experienced a dramatic decline of 70 percent over the 22-year period leading up to 2018. This alarming decrease highlights the urgent need for protective measures and conservation efforts to preserve these unique freshwater mammals.
One of the primary threats to botos comes from their use as bait for vulture catfish, which are in high demand in commercial fishing operations. This practice has contributed significantly to the declining dolphin populations throughout the Amazon basin. Recognizing the severity of this threat, the Brazilian government took action in 2023 by renewing its fishing ban on vulture catfish, aiming to reduce the demand that drives the use of dolphins as bait.
Hussain Aga Khan, who developed an interest in conservation at a young age, has built an impressive career combining photography with environmental advocacy. Through multiple photographic expeditions, he has developed an extensive archive covering various geographical areas and habitats around the world. His work spans exhibitions, publications, and educational talks that have raised awareness and inspired international audiences to protect the most threatened places and species on our planet.
The photographer has published four notable books showcasing his conservation photography: "Animal Voyage" (2004), "Diving into Wildlife" (2015), "Fragile Beauty" (2022), and "The Living Sea" (2022). His dedication to wildlife photography and conservation education continues to contribute to global efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats.
This award-winning image serves as both a celebration of the Amazon river dolphin's natural beauty and a powerful reminder of the conservation challenges these remarkable mammals face. The photograph will be featured in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, where visitors can pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world through images that celebrate nature's awe-inspiring beauty while urging protection of threatened species and ecosystems.