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)

Taliban fighter, Mostashhed from Wardak province, looks on as he visits Kabul for the first time as hundreds of Taliban fighters take a day off to visit the amusement park at Kabul's Qargha reservoir, at the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on October 8, 2021. (Photo by Jorge Silva/Reuters)

Swimmers in fancy dress take part in a Christmas Day dip at Exmouth, Devon, England, Saturday, December 25, 2021. (Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Wire via AP Photo)

People drink in the street in the Soho area of London, on April 12, 2021 as coronavirus restrictions are eased across the country in step two of the government's roadmap out of England's third national lockdown. Britons on Monday toasted a significant easing of coronavirus restrictions, with early morning pints – and much-needed haircuts – as the country took a tentative step towards the resumption of normal life. Businesses including non-essential retail, gyms, salons and outdoor hospitality were all able to open for the first time in months in the second step of the government's roadmap out of lockdown. (Photo by Tolga Akmen/AFP Photo)

Anita Alvarez of the U.S. receives medical attention during the women's solo free final during FINA World Championships at Alfred Hajos Swimming Complex in Budapest, Hungary on June 22, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Leutner/Reuters)

A member of the Army Service Corps “Tornadoes” of the Indian Army participates in a full dress rehearsal to celebrate India's Republic Day on January 24, 2024 in Bengaluru, India. India celebrates its Republic Day on January 26. (Photo by Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images)

Pro-Palestian protesters yell at Orlando Police Department officers after they took two protesters into custody and deployed a noxious gas into the crowd during a rally in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP Photo)

The DFDS Princess seaways heads into the River Tyne in rough seas today, Friday January 21, 2022. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)