Incredible moments captured on camera for this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards, where a French biologist and underwater photographer was named as this year’s winner.

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. Over the past five years, Ballesta and his team returned to the lagoon, diving day and night so they did not miss the annual spawning that only takes place around the full moon in July.

His image was selected from more than 50,000 entries from 95 countries and was named the winner at a virtual awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London. Chairwoman of the judging panel, writer and editor Rosamund (Roz) Kidman Cox, said: “The image works on so many levels. It is surprising, energetic and intriguing, and has an otherworldly beauty.

“It also captures a magical moment – a truly explosive creation of life – leaving the tail-end of the exodus of eggs hanging for a moment like a symbolic question mark.”

Meanwhile, Vidyun R Hebbar was named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 at the ceremony.

The 10-year-old’s colourful image, Dome Home, shows a tent spider as a tuk-tuk passes. The two winners were chosen from 19 categories in total which aim to celebrate the natural world. Three new categories were introduced this year, including Oceans – The Bigger Picture and Wetlands – The Bigger Picture.

A total of 100 images from the competition will be on display at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum. For more visit nhm.ac.uk.

CREATION by Laurent Ballesta showing a trio of camouflage groupers exit their milky cloud of eggs and sperm, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021, Grand Title Winner.

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM by Adam Oswel as he draws attention to zoo visitors watching a young elephant perform under water in Australia, which won Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Photojournalism Award.

REFLECTION by Majed Ali showing 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

HIGH-FLYING JAY by Lasse Kurkela showing a Siberian jay fly to the top of a spruce tree to stash its food in Finland, which won the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year:15-17 Years Award

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

Follow us on Instagram