The impressive photo of a crocodile in Cuba that won the top prize at the Mangrove Photography Awards (and other spectacular images from the contest)

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Tanya Houppermans was the big winner of this year’s Mangrove Photography Awards, for her close-up of a crocodile surrounded by mangroves in Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina archipelago.

image source, Tanya Houppermans

In its eighth year, this contest organized by the Mangrove Action Project aims to showcase the relationships between wildlife, coastal communities and mangrove forests.

In addition, it seeks to expose the fragility of these unique ecosystemsboth above and below the water.

The Jardines de la Reina is an archipelago off the coast of Cuba and has been a protected site since 1996.

It is one of the most pristine marine ecosystems in the world.

“The healthy population of crocodiles is due to the pristine condition of the mangroves, and I wanted to capture close-ups of this gentle giant in its natural habitat,” said Houppermans, the winner.

“I hope this image succeeds in showing that protecting areas like this is critical.”

Mangroves represent a protection important once morest climate change: 4,000 m2 of mangrove forests absorb almost the same amount of carbon dioxide as 4,000 m2 of Amazon rainforest.

These forests also protect coastlines from erosion as storms become more frequent.

“The Mangrove Photography Awards have become a platform to intrigue people regarding the magnificent ecological role that mangroves play in all of our lives,” said Judge Dhritiman Mukherjee.

Octavio Aburto, another judge, added: “This year’s images captured our imagination… They give us hope and illuminate a positive future for mangrove ecosystems.”

Here is a selection of the winning images from various categories of the competition.

Winner of Mangroves and human categorys: Choney tillers, Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman, Bangladeshesh

image source, Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

Honey hunters collect wild honey deep in the mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans, Bangladesh, the world’s largest mangrove forest.

Both recent human development in the area and the climate crisis, particularly rising sea levels, threaten the ecology of the Sundarbans and with it the way of life of the local people.

Mangroves and Humans Runner-up: Living in a White Mangrove, Alex Cao, Vietnam

image source, Alex Cao

A local fisherman casts his net in the white-flowered mangroves (Lumnitzera racemosa) of Bau Ca Cai, Vietnam, a protected area.

This photo was taken in late fall when the trees had lost their leaves. It highlights the connection between vulnerable communities and nature.

Winner of the category Mangroves and landscape: dancing trees Walakiri, Loïc Dupuis, Indonesia

image source, Loic Dupuis

The sun rises over the quiet beaches of East Sumba in Indonesia.

Loïc Dupuis wanted to capture the beauty and fragility of this unique wonder.

runner-upthen of the category Mangroves and Landscapes: The Dream Life of Mangroves, Melodi Roberts, USA.

image source, Melody Roberts

Sunrise reflections at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida.

Winner of Mangroves and Wildlife: takeoffJayakumar MN, United Arab Emirates

image source, Jayakumar MN

A great flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) embarks on a migration journey across Asia, most likely returning to the same coastal wetlands in the winter months.

runner-upthen of Mangroves and Wildlife: Espatulas, Priscila Forone, Brazil

image source, Prissioni Forone

The preserved mangroves of Guaraqueçaba are an important place for visitors, including this pair of Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja).

Winner of the category mangroves and Debit dWater: Blue Crab, Martin Broen, Mexico

image source, Martin Broen

A blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) fishing in a unique transition between fresh and salt water in the Mexican cenotes.

During an exploratory dive through the dark flooded caves, the photographer says he came across this crab standing proudly once morest mangrove roots.

runner-upthen of Mangroves and Submarine: On the border, Jillian E Morris, Bahamas

image source, Jillian E Morris

The photographer says she wanted to show a different side to these juvenile lemon sharks: a social side, a more vulnerable side.

All images are subject to copyright.

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Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief Prize-winning journalist with over 20 years of international news experience. Alexandra leads the editorial team, ensuring every story meets the highest standards of accuracy and journalistic integrity.

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