MARWELL Wildlife has announced the winners of its fifth Photographer of the Year competition, which saw hundreds of professional, amateur and young snappers hunt out the best Mother Nature has to offer.

The top prize went to a picture of Kanika, the zoo’s Amur leopard cub, as she explored her enclosure, taken by George Wheelhouse.

Stealing the spotlight in the cute and funny category was a Japanese macaque, who was caught on camera playing with a smartphone as it bathed in the Jigokudari thermal pool in Japan.

Suzie Tanser, from Winchester, was behind the lens for this unusual shot, which ensured she was crowned winner of the category.

She said: “I am not sure how he got hold of it, but one of the macaques was brandishing an iPhone. He initially played with it but then seemed to take a closer look – not sure if he was checking his Facebook, taking a selfie or admiring his reflection.”

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Eloise Mott, from Southampton, won the junior Cute and Funny category with her image of a zebra resting its head on another’s back.

The youngster, who has only taken up photography in the past year, said: “We were on holiday in South Africa and on safari. It was just resting its chin and I thought that’s so cute. It popped up outside the car and rested its head for a couple of minutes and then went back to eating.”

Prizes have been awarded to the 37 winners, runners-up and commended entrants of the four categories, which included native wildlife, cute and funny pictures, Marwell Wildlife residents and endangered species.

Prizes included a nine-day Wild Espana trip supplied by competition sponsors Wildlife Worldwide, camera accessories, photography experience days, annual membership to Marwell Zoo and books from the BBC Natural History Unit.