The Zoological Society of Florida, Zoo Miami and Mercantil Commercebank teamed to host the 2012 Zoolens Photography Project.

The photo competition, which ran from Sept. 29 through Nov. 9, was designed to help Miami-Dade students develop a greater sense of appreciation for wildlife.

With Zoo Miami’s wildlife expert Ron Magill as one of the judges, the competition announced three winners and 10 honorable mentions.

Albert Parson, 13, an eighth-grade student at South Miami K-8 Center, won a $2,500 savings account for his photo of warthogs titled, Butting Heads.

Fellow South Miami student Felipe Delgado, 13, took second place with his entry, Looking in a Mirror, and won $1,500 in savings. Michael Sciabarassi, 12, a seventh-grade student from Southwood Middle School in Palmetto Bay won third place and $1,000 for his shot, One Foot Wonder.

The top three also won a professional camera and a student membership in the North American Nature Photography Association.