The competition, held for the 19th consecutive year under the auspices of the World Photography Organisation and supported by Sony, is recognized as one of the most prestigious in the world of photography.
This year, over 430,000 entries were submitted from more than 200 countries and regions.
The first place in the "Wildlife" category was awarded to Klaus Hellmich.
Photo by Klaus Hellmich. Arctic fox in a snowstorm
The photograph captures a blue Arctic fox during a snowstorm, taken on the Varanger Peninsula in Norway.
The shortlist of the competition also included ten more photographs.
Photo by Samuel Round. Untitled
This image of a deer, taken in Charlecote, Warwickshire, UK, captures its majestic appearance.
The stream brown frog is endemic to Japan, inhabiting the mountains until November, after which it moves to local rivers for hibernation. Males often cling to anything that floats by, including yamame trout, in search of partners.
It took the photographer over 40 hours and around 4,000 shots to capture this frame.
Weddell seals, which inhabit one of the most challenging environments on Earth, have a thick layer of fat and fur that keeps them warm and provides a food reserve. They come onto the ice for rest before hunting in the cold waters of Antarctica.
A conflict between a vulture and a jackal is captured on one of the mountains in Bulgaria.
The Chilean region of Torres del Paine, known for its stunning landscapes, is home to the puma—a fierce predator that hunts guanacos. The photographer observed a female and her cubs for several days before witnessing a successful hunt.
The photographer patiently captured the reflection of an African buffalo in dark water, creating a magical image with backlighting and a flying mouse that looks like a ghostly figure.
At dawn, the newly crowned "king of the milu" rises among a resting herd of females, his majestic silhouette standing out against the rising sun, emphasizing his strength and glory.
Young elephant seal pups gather at natural stone pools in the Falkland Islands, using the calm waters to practice swimming and diving before heading out to the open sea.
After a morning of play, the Pallas's cat mother returned with a rodent, and the first one to reach it claimed the prize. The photo shows how the bright, mischievous eyes of the cub begin to reveal its character.
