2nd Place; Winter Mummy by Pascal Beaudenon

The musk ox has the exceptional ability to thrive in the most extreme winter weather conditions. It is this strong resilience to the cold that places this magnificent animal among the rare survivors of the last ice age. For several years, Pascal Beaudenon has been observing musk ox during the long winter months in the Dovrefjell-Suundalsfjella National Park in Norway, where it was reintroduced in the middle of the 20th century with specimens coming from Greenland. This series was taken on the plateau of the Høgsnita massif and shows the behaviour of musk ox during a harsh winter storm, as they attempt to save energy, preserve their body heat and protect themselves and their young calves – gathered at the centre of the group – from the strong wind. The musk ox is a critical link in the ecosystem in which it evolves: throughout our contemporary history, it has been a source of food for the Arctic territories indigenous populations who also used its fleece for warm clothing and tools. Nowadays, climate change and warming are, like for many other species, a major concern for the musk ox. Temperature variations, and rainy springs and summers have caused many problems.