Laurent Ballesta was selected as the winner of the competition following the submission of his “enigmatic image” Creation, which captures camouflage groupers exiting their milky cloud of eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia. Take a look at all the other winners in various categories in our photo gallery.
. Cichid fish
Two adult male cichlid fish fighting jaw to jaw over a snail shell in Lake Tanganyika, Africa, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Portfolio Award. Angel Fitor/Wildlife Photographer of the Year/PA Media
. Winner
A trio of camouflage groupers exit their milky cloud of eggs and sperm, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Underwater Award. Photo: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
. Fishing spider
Spinning the cradle by Gil Wizen showing a fishing spider stretching out silk from its spinnerets to weave into its egg sac in Canada, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Behaviour: Invertebrate Award.
. Tent spider
A tent spider as a rickshaw passes by in India, which won Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year: 10 Years and Under Award. Photo credit Vidyun R Hebbar/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
. Mountain gorilla
Reflection by Majed Ali showing a the moment Kibande, an almost-40- year-old mountain gorilla closes its eyes in the rain in Uganda, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Animal Portraits Award.
. Brazilian wandering spider
The spider room by Gil Wizen showing a venomous Brazilian wandering spider hiding under his bed in Canada, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Urban Wildlife Award.
. Harp seals
Nursery meltdown by Jennifer Hayes as she records harp seals, seal pups and the blood of birth against the melting sea ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec, Canada, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Oceans: The Bigger Picture Award.
. Chimpanzee
The healing touch, from Community care by Brent Stirton showing the director of a rehabilitation centre caring for chimpanzees orphaned by the bushmeat trade sitting with a newly rescued chimp as she slowly introduces it to the others in South Africa, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Photojournalist Story Award.
. Giant newts
Where the giant newts breed by Joao Rodrigues showing a pair of courting sharp-ribbed newts in a flooded forest, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles Award.
1. Winner
A trio of camouflage groupers exit their milky cloud of eggs and sperm, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Underwater Award. Photo: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
2. Fishing spider
Spinning the cradle by Gil Wizen showing a fishing spider stretching out silk from its spinnerets to weave into its egg sac in Canada, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Behaviour: Invertebrate Award.
3. Tent spider
A tent spider as a rickshaw passes by in India, which won Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year: 10 Years and Under Award. Photo credit Vidyun R Hebbar/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
4. Mountain gorilla
Reflection by Majed Ali showing a the moment Kibande, an almost-40- year-old mountain gorilla closes its eyes in the rain in Uganda, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Animal Portraits Award.