Guardian of the Mangroves – Overall Winner. Tanya Houppermans, Cuba. A curious American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) swims right up to Tanya, at Gardens of the Queen (Jardines De La Reina), an archipelago off the coast of Cuba. It has been strictly protected since 1996, and is one of the most untouched marine ecosystems in the world. ‍ “The healthy population of American crocodiles is down to the pristine condition of the mangroves and I wanted to capture close ups of this gentle giant in its natural habitat. I hope this image can illustrate that protecting areas like this is so critical”. (Photo by Tanya Griffin Houppermans/Mangrove Photographer of the Year)

A woman raises her fist during events to mark Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in Texas, two years after the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves elsewhere in the United States, amid nationwide protests against racial inequality, in the Harlem neighbourhood of Manhattan, in New York City, New York, June 19, 2020. (Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Noah, 10, cools himself off in his garden during hot weather in Hertford, Britain, June 25, 2020. The UK is experiencing a summer heatwave, with temperatures in many parts of the country expected to rise above 30°C and weather warnings in place for thunderstorms at the end of the week. (Photo by Andrew Couldridge/Reuters)

Models present creations by Portuguese fashion designer Ines Torcato during the Portugal Fashion show in Porto, Portugal, 14 October 2021. Spring/Summer 2022 collections are presented at the 49th Portugal Fashion until 16 October 2021. (Photo by Jose Coelho/EPA/EFE)

A month-old Tengmalm’s owl chick blends in with soft toys on August 8, 2024 at the Scottish Owl Centre in Whitburn, West Lothian. The chick is being raised by Trystan Williams, the centre’s head keeper, after losing its father and being abandoned by its mother. (Photo by Katielee Arrowsmith/South West News Service)

Indian paramilitary forces march during the annual Republic Day parade on Rajpath in New Delh, January 26, 2013. Republic Day commemorates the 1950 adoption of India's constitution. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Associated Press)

An athlete pulls a 15-tonne truck during a Truck-Pull event marking the upcoming Independence Day in the Belarus capital Minsk, on July 3, 2014. The former Soviet nation celebrates its Independence Day on July 3 in memory of the end of Belarus occupation by Nazi Germany troops during the Red Army main summer offensive in 1944. (Photo by Sergei Gapon/AFP Photo)

A group of PETA supporters protest Canada Goose's use of coyote fur, with “Canada Goose Kills” painted on their backs in New York, USA on October 18, 2018. (Photo by Erik Pendzich/Rex Features/Shutterstock)