Indian wildlife photographer Nayan Khanolkar's ambitious plan to capture tigers on camera took an unexpected turn when a group of Bengal gray langurs discovered his equipment and turned his photography session into their personal entertainment. The striking photograph of curious langur monkeys investigating his camera trap has earned Khanolkar a "Highly Commended" recognition in the Animal Portraits category of the 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Khanolkar had ventured into the forests near Chandrapur in Maharashtra, India, with hopes of photographing tigers using his camera trap setup. However, the langurs found his equipment before he even had the opportunity to activate it. What followed was a frustrating yet amusing experience as the photographer spent most of his time repairing and reassembling gear that had been systematically dismantled by the monkeys who had been observing his activities from the trees above.
The resulting image, captured with a Nikon D90 camera equipped with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens, showcases the personality and curiosity of these primates in remarkable detail. Shot at 1/200 second at f11 with ISO 200, the photograph utilized custom housing, a Nikon SB-900 Speedlight flash, and a Cognisys motion sensor to achieve its stunning clarity and composition.
Langurs, scientifically known as Semnopithecus entellus, are a common sight throughout western India, particularly in urban environments where they have adapted to living alongside human populations. These primates hold a special place in Indian culture due to their sacred status in Hinduism, which provides them with a degree of protection. However, human-langur relationships are often complex and sometimes tense, especially when the monkeys raid agricultural crops or become aggressive while soliciting food from tourists in popular destinations.
Khanolkar, a self-taught nature photographer, has dedicated more than two decades to documenting India's diverse wildlife by traveling extensively across the country. He specializes in camera trap photography and is currently focusing his efforts on studying big cats in human-dominated landscapes. Through his work, Khanolkar aims to educate people about animal behavior while raising awareness about the critical importance of conserving India's rich wildlife heritage.
The photograph represents more than just a moment of animal curiosity; it highlights the ongoing challenges wildlife photographers face when working in environments where humans and animals intersect. The image serves as both an artistic achievement and a reminder of the intelligence and adaptability of India's primate populations, demonstrating how wildlife continues to surprise and engage with human technology in unexpected ways.
