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)

British singer-songwriter Rita Ora seen attending Jonathan Ross Halloween party at The House of Koko on October 31, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M/GC Images)

Dancers perform the traditional Kuda Lumping in Bogor, Indonesia early November 2022. They are said to enter a trance-like state as they perform, and often claim not to remember the dance once they awaken. (Photo by Sita Gramich/Solent News)

A diver wearing a Santa Claus costume swims with fishes in a large tank during an underwater performance for the upcoming Christmas celebration at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan on December 1, 2022. (Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

This shot, which was announced the winner by the on December 2, 2022 came top in the People and Nature category of the British Ecological Society’s Capturing Ecology photography competition. (Photo by British Ecological Society)

Irish television personality, presenter and model Maura Higgins early February 2023 looked sensational as she stripped to a black mesh bodysuit. (Photo by Iulia David)

British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2023/2024 on February 23, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by dualipa/Instagram)

American actress and singer Lucy Hale in the second decade of March 2023 primps on the floor. (Photo by lucyhale/Instagram)