An eye blinked in the drought-stricken mud pool as the hippopotamus emerged to take a breath. The challenge for Jose, watching from his vehicle, was to catch the eye when it was open. Having observed hippos for years, he knew that they only come up for air every three to five minutes.
Hippos spend their days submerged in water to stay cool and prevent their sensitive skin from cracking in the hot sun. They are vital in both aquatic and land ecosystems as their dung provides important nutrients. However, when rivers run dry, the high dung concentration depletes oxygen and kills aquatic life.
Portugal
Jose lives in Ethiopia where he spends most of his time in the national parks observing and photographing wild animals, while working on mathematical models that attempt to predict their behaviour. His images have been featured worldwide in a range of publications, including National Geographic and GEO.
Help us harness the power of photography to advance scientific knowledge, spread awareness of important issues and nurture a global love for nature.
