Stunning underwater image of tadpole in lake wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024 award

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London (CNN)- A magical underwater image of a western toad tadpole has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024 competition.

Canadian photojournalist Shane Gross’s winning image, “The Swarm of Life,” was selected from a record 59,228 entries, according to a statement from organizers released Tuesday.

“Shane captured the image while diving for several hours through lily mats in Cedar Lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, making sure that the thin layers of sediment and algae covering the lake bottom were not disturbed,” researchers organizers said. Don’t be.”

“A near-endangered species due to habitat destruction and predators, these tadpoles begin to transform into toads between four and twelve weeks after hatching, but it is estimated that 99% of them will not survive to adulthood. ”

Jury chair Kathy Moran, former deputy director of photography at National Geographic magazine, said the judges were “mesmerized by the mix of light, energy and connectivity between the environment and the tadpoles.”

The 2024 Youth Wildlife Photographer of the Year award went to Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas for “Life Under Dead Wood,” a close-up composite image of 36 photos of slime mold and a springtail, a type of small arthropod.

“A photographer attempting to capture this moment brings not only great skill, but incredible attention to detail, patience and perseverance,” Moran said in the statement. “It is extraordinary to see a macro image of two species drawn on the forest floor, with such skill.”

These two grand title winners were selected from 18 category winners, which included photos of a hawk eating a squirrel, a lynx posing in the sun and a hawk catching a butterfly.

“We are delighted to add such inspiring images to this year’s portfolio; These are photographs that not only encourage greater wildlife conservation efforts, but also inspire the creation of true protectors of our planet on a global scale,” said Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum in London, which organizes the competition. Does, in the statement. ,

An exhibition of 100 award-winning images opens at the museum this Friday.

Below are other award-winning photos: