SOUTH WALES based wildlife photographer has been named the overall winner of the prestigious MontPhoto International Nature Photography Competition 2026.

Andy Rouse caught a striking image of a black leopard photographed at night in Kenya and received MontPhoto’s overall award, the competition’s highest honour, at the awards ceremony in Spain. The win is his third major international photography award of 2026, and the 38th major award of his professional career.

The winning photograph shows a black leopard moving through the Kenyan night, illuminated by red light, with movement and streaks of intense colour creating an almost otherworldly image.

Rather than making a conventional portrait of one of Africa’s most elusive predators, Rouse wanted to produce something that captured the mystery and atmosphere of encountering a black leopard after dark.

In reflection of receiving this award, Andy Rouse, said: “I have been working with this black leopard for a few years and wanted something different. So when I saw this opportunity taken at night with non-affecting red torchlight, I knew it was something special.”

The photograph is the result of Andy’s long-term work with this particular leopard in Kenya. That familiarity gave him the opportunity to experiment creatively rather than simply record the encounter, producing an image very different from the traditional wildlife photographs normally associated with the species.

Andy has worked as a professional wildlife photographer for more than 25 years, photographing wildlife around the world. Based on the South Wales border, his work has now received 38 major international photography awards.

The MontPhoto International Nature Photography Competition is held in Spain and attracts nature photography from around the world. Andy travelled to Spain to receive the overall award in person on Friday October 2 2026.