Shooting star by Tony Wu, US/Japan. Winner, underwater. The electrifying reproductive dance of a giant sea star. As the surrounding water filled with sperm and eggs from spawning sea stars, Wu faced several challenges. Stuck in a small, enclosed bay with only a macro lens for photographing small subjects, he backed up to squeeze the undulating sea star into his field of view. The dancing posture of spawning sea stars rising and swaying may help release eggs and sperm, or may help sweep the eggs and sperm into the currents where they fertilise together in the water. Kinko Bay, Japan. (Photo by Tony Wu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

A male puma, named Bordo arrives for an examination and tests at a veterinary in Brasilia, Brazil, 31 October 2017 (issued 01 November 2017). Bordo, a young male puma, captured when he was a cub, will become the first animal of his species to be released in a sanctuary in the Brazilian savannah in Goias State close to Brasilia. The sanctuary, a preserve for wild cats, is in the first phase and is located on private lands but state funded. (Photo by Joedson Alves/EPA/EFE)

Vernon Yates, founder of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, lays his hands on Ty, a 400-pound tiger, as staff prepare to surgically extract a 4-pound hairball from the big cat, in Clearwater, Florida, on May 22, 2013. Ty is cared for by Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Seminole. The non-profit animal rescue group mainly serves by assisting Florida law enforcement with animals that have been seized. (Photo by James Judge/Courtesy BluePearl Veterinary Partners)

Mohammad, a 13-year-old fighter from the “Free Syrian Army”, plays with a cat in Aleppo's Bustan al-Basha district, Syria October 28, 2013. Mohammad joined the Free Syrian Army after his father died during clashes with the Syrian regime. The gun he is using was his father's. (Photo by Molhem Barakat/Reuters)

A man and his cat rest in the street after an earthquake on May 22, 2021 in Dali, Yunnan Province of China. According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake jolted Yangbi Yi autonomous county in Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan province on Friday evening. (Photo by Liu Ranyang/China News Service via Getty Images)

A woman carries her cat as Palestinians who had taken refuge in temporary shelters return to their homes in eastern Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during the first hours of a four-day truce in the battles between Israel and Hamas militants, on November 24, 2023. A four-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war began on November 24, with hostages set to be released in exchange for prisoners in the first major reprieve in seven weeks of war that have claimed thousands of lives. (Photo by Mahmud Hams/AFP Photo)

A shepherd, holding a lamb, is seen in Gurpinar district of Van, Turkiye on March 30, 2022. Norduz sheep, which are among the significant germplasm of Turkiye and therefore the number of which is aimed to be increased with the state-funded projects. Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry of Van has started work to protect the breed and increase the number of Norduz sheep, which have one more rib than regular sheep and have higher meat and milk yield. Projects are impelling to rise the number of small cattle and to protect local breeds due to the fact that Van ranks first in Turkiye in terms of small cattle. (Photo by Ozkan Bilgin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)