Shell Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest

To scoop the competition's top prize for budding wildlife photographers, Briton Patrick Corning didn't even have to leave his family's rented villa while on vacation in Costa Rica last year.

Patrick, 11, took this photo from his balcony as a trio of squirrel monkeys played and hunted for fruit in nearby trees.

I think it is cute how one of the monkeys is pulling another one's ear, he said in a statement. I remember thinking to the monkeys, Don't move!

Squirrel monkeys are native to Mexico as well as Central and South America. They live in large groups, splitting off into smaller foraging parties during the day to hunt for insects, fruit, and seeds.

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