New York (AFP)

The famous American photographer Peter Beard, known for his wildlife but also worldly shots, was found dead Sunday near his residence in Montauk, east of New York, announced his relatives.

Suffering from senile dementia, the original New Yorker had been missing since March 31, when he was last seen outside his home. He was 82 years old.

Fascinated by nature, Peter Beard became known for his photographs of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya in the early 1960s.

Settled in Kenya where he had acquired a house, the photographer had documented the persecutions targeting elephants, as well as the rhinos.

In addition to classical photography, he stood out through collages, combining photographs, paintings, drawings and text.

Very early, he became friends with several renowned artists such as Salavador Dali, with whom he collaborated, or Francis Bacon.

During the 1970s, he dived into show business by photographing the Rolling Stones 'Exile On Main Street' tour for Rolling Stone magazine.

It will thus evolve for many years between two worlds, on the one hand African nature and on the other that of the artistic elites.

Physics of young first, taste of the adventure, Peter Beard was an exceptional character, at ease in the savannah as in a social evening.

In 1969, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison by the Kenyan courts for hitting and tying up a poacher whom he had caught setting up a trap.

He will ultimately benefit from an early release.

The artist was as known as his work, accustomed to social evenings and a time in couple with celebrities, in particular the actress Candice Bergen.

"Peter was an extraordinary man who led an extra-cardinal life," wrote his relatives in a message posted on Instagram.

The photographer "symbolized what being open means to new ideas, new encounters, new lifestyles," they added.

"He died where he lived: in nature."

© 2020 AFP