Sand is ejected with water droplets from a small hill on the ocean floor. This phenomenon, akin to an eruption from a deep-sea volcano, is the act of a mud-dwelling creature called a polychaete (sea worm) burrowing and ejecting sand. The author, who studied marine biology, captured this fascinating phenomenon in the seagrass forests of southern Spain.
This insect is an endobenthic animal that resides in the mud at the bottom of the sea and rivers. It plays a central role in maintaining oxygen circulation in the upper layers of sea sediment. Oxygen circulation is an essential element for the thriving of the entire marine ecosystem. Almost all seagrasses and marine organisms are effectively dependent on the activities of these small insects.
The Monaco Albert II Foundation announced on the 6th (local time) that it has selected Spanish marine photographer Ángel Pitor as the winner of this year’s Environmental Photography Award (2025 Environmental Photography Award) for capturing the quiet but significant efforts of mudflat animals that dig holes and supply oxygen and nutrients to sediment layers in the Mediterranean Sea.
The author has focused on the impact of small animals living in river estuaries, mudflats, and the seafloor along coastlines worldwide on overall biodiversity. These 'invisible hidden heroes' are small and discreet but have a tremendous impact on the entire ecosystem of the Earth through collaboration. They are extremely shy and reveal their presence hardly at all, showing themselves only for a few minutes a day. Predicting when they will show up is not easy.
The author also dived more than twenty times into the sea at a depth of 8 meters over two months in 2023. He stated that the result of waiting underwater for five hours at a time was just enough to obtain photographs. The author noted, "I wanted to depict the quiet actions of these humble creatures that are pivotal to the Mediterranean marine ecosystem and the entire ecosystem on which humanity relies through my photographs."
The selection committee praised the author, saying, "Based on his academic background in underwater photography and marine biology, he has dedicated his life to giving a voice to aquatic ecosystems," acknowledging his relentless efforts.
The Environmental Photography Award was established in 2021 by Prince Albert II of Monaco to celebrate the beauty of the Earth and raise awareness of environmental issues facing humanity. It highlights the work of talented wildlife photographers dedicated to protecting the planet. Winners are chosen from five themes: 'Wondrous polar regions,' 'Into the forests,' 'Marine world,' 'Human versus nature,' and 'Changemakers, the reason for hope.' This year, Pitor's 'Invisible hidden heroes' also won in the marine world institutional sector.
ChosunBiz, with the cooperation of the Monaco Albert II Foundation, is showcasing this year’s award-winning high-quality works. The selected photographs will be exhibited from June 3 to July 31 at the Larvotto promenade in Monaco. They can also be viewed on the official "website."
A tiger raised as a breeding machine
An aged and emaciated female Indochinese tiger is struggling with her head against a concrete wall. This female tiger has lived for over 20 years in captivity, serving as a breeding machine for tourists, birthing cubs that are later used in the illegal trade of skins, teeth, bones, and meat.
This tiger, later named Salamas, was rescued by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Thailand Wild Friends Foundation (WFFT) from a tiger farm in northern Thailand along with 14 other tigers. Despite being underweight at the time of rescue, Salamas survived a grueling 12-hour journey to a tiger sanctuary.
Having suffered abuse all her life, this female tiger finally found freedom after 20 years. She was able to roam freely for a short time in a small new abode of 7 hectares, feeling the warm sunlight for the first time while walking on the soft grass. However, Salamas passed away due to sudden health deterioration nine months after being rescued. The author has been exposing the reality of tigers in need of rescue through Salamas. Currently, it is estimated that 1,700 tigers are trapped in factory farms in Thailand, while only 223 tigers are living in the wild.
A strange world where a wizard might live
Diving around icebergs offers a unique and captivating experience. The author was lucky enough to discover a massive iceberg stranded right next to the shore while diving near the East Greenland town of Tasiilaq. It was a rare opportunity to explore the surroundings safely.
The stark contrast between the deep blue water of the Arctic Ocean and the sparkling white ice creates a mesmerizing background for underwater photography. The fjords of eastern Greenland are teeming with life in the autumn, especially with the presence of the long and stinging tentacles of the lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) and various species of plankton. The icy cold water and vibrant marine life create a fascinating atmosphere.
Secret duels occurring in the forest
Male stag beetles (Lucanus cervus), characterized by their large jaws, engage in fierce battles during the mating season. Typically, larger males have an advantage in fights against smaller ones. The larval period can be long, and certain genes may allow for larger body sizes, but today, most stag beetles are threatened by poor forest management and deforestation. Many species, including stag beetles, are currently on the red list of Italian conservation organizations.
The author captured a scene of two males engaging in a very brief duel on an oak branch in a forest in the Florence region of Italy. Such behavior in stag beetles lasts only a few days each year. He mentioned that he set up and patiently watched for about 10 days to capture this moment.
Baby turtles undergoing survival training by eating food
A camera captured a young red sea turtle training to eat jellyfish at a treatment center in Valencia, Spain. A rescue team composed of veterinarians and biologists from the Fundación Oceanogràfic raised the hatchlings for a year after rescuing them from a beach invaded by tourists.
The young turtles were provided with a balanced artificial diet and trained to eat jellyfish to survive after being released into the wild. However, there is little chance that the young turtles will be able to distinguish between drifting plastics and food when they return to the sea. The author stated that, while there is no guarantee that the rescue will be fully successful, it could provide a chance of survival for some.
Finding hope amidst flames and extinction
This year's most outstanding environmental photography award, which moved the hearts of the public and students, was also unveiled. Brazilian photographer Fernando Paciolle captured the recovery of a Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris) rescued from the worst fires that occurred last year in the Pantanal, the largest wetland in the world.
This Brazilian tapir was given the name Valente, which means brave in Portuguese. This animal was found unable to move with severe burns on its four limbs and ears immediately after the worst fires in the Brazilian Pantanal occurred. The Onçafari project team, which operates in the Cayman ecological protection area, plans to rescue this one-year-old male and rehabilitate him before releasing him back into the wild.
During the worst fires in the Pantanal wetlands from May to June last year, over 2.6 million hectares (26,000 square kilometers), which accounts for 17% of the area, were burned. This area is equivalent to 43 times the size of Seoul. Following the fires, the water levels in the region have sharply declined. Satellite images show that the area that has been flooded for more than six months has decreased by 82% since 1985.
Indonesian writer Bambang Wirawan captured the image of a tiger that now only has 400 remaining on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in 2021.
In the past 100 years, the global tiger population has declined by 95%. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), tigers have already gone extinct on the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali. Deforestation and poaching have severely diminished tiger habitats. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the Sumatran tiger as "critically endangered" in 2009. The Indonesian government has also designated this tiger as a priority protected species.