We all love seeing funny photos of animals — but did you know there is a whole contest devoted to these photos?
Every year, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards honors the best, funniest and most unexpected wildlife pics, taken by photographers around the world. From an opera-singing owl to a contemplative chimpanzee to a stuck squirrel, these photos are sure to put a smile on the face of any animal lover.
Read more about this unique competition, and see some of our favorite finalists!
The Comedy Wildlife Awards were founded in 2015. By combining professional and brilliant wildlife photography with laugh-out-loud humor, they hope to promote the conservation of wildlife and sustainable habits for or planet.
This year’s contest received 9,000 entries from 98 countries, which has now been narrowed down to a shortlist of 40 standalone images, 4 portfolio entries and 3 video entries. Judges will vote on a grand prize winner, who will receive a
one-week safari with Alex Walker’s Serian in the Masai Mara.
The public also gets to weigh in on their favorite entry, by voting for the
Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award online. The winner of this award will receive a cash prize of £500.
Winners will also be chosen from competition categories, including Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians, Fish and Other Aquatic Species, and Insects. Winners will be announced at an awards night in London on December 10.
“We are thrilled to unveil the finalists for the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of photographers from all around the world,” Stefan Maier, Nikon Europe Senior General Manager Marketing, said in a press release.
“These images capture not only the humour and charm of wildlife, but also highlight the importance of conservation in a way that resonates with people of all ages and from all different walks of life. At Nikon, we are immensely proud to be part of a competition that brings both joy and awareness to the wonder of our natural world.”
“As the world’s wildlife faces more intense challenges all the time, it’s vitally important that messages of conservation continue to be shared,” said Affinity CEO Ashley Hewson. “The Comedy Wildlife Awards emphasises those messages in a strong, effective but lighthearted way and we’re proud to support that work, especially when it’s supported by such a superb selection of photographs as we have this year.”
Here are a few of the 40 finalists in this year’s competition:
“Holding on for a ride”
Alexander Fine captured this priceless pic of a mama brown bear and her clingy cubs at Lake Clark National Park. It’s a scene any busy parent can relate to!
“Alright Mate Back off- this is my bird”
Andy Rouse snapped this photo in South Georgia. A male king penguin tries to make a move on a female, but her mate isn’t having it. The drama!
“The Contemplative Chimpanzee”
Arvind Mohandas was photographing chimpanzees in the jungles of Uganda when he caught this philosophical fellow. He said the photograph was a “reaffirmation of how close chimpanzees are to humans.”
What’s this chimp thinking of? We can only imagine.
“Saying my prayers”
Christine Haines, who caught this priceless pic at Lake Clark National Park, explained that otters hold their food with their paws as they float around — but we think this otter is just saying his daily prayers 🙏
“The Pavarotti of Owls”
Some owls hoot, others sing opera! Fred Amico snapped this hilarious photo of a music-loving burrowing owl.
“The Rock Star”
Opera not your style? Maybe you prefer this rocking-out fan-throated lizard.
Sanjay Patil took this photo in Maharashtra State, India.
“Stuck Squirrel”
Milko Marchetti took this hilarious photo of a squirrel caught in an awkward position. “He removed his feet from the trunk for a moment, and for that moment it seemed as if he was blocked from the entrance to the burrow,” Marchetti explained.
“Wait! Which Zebra is in front!!!”
Sarosh lodhi captured this trippy optical illusion by chance while photographing zebras in Masai Mara, Kenya.
“I stayed focused on these two as they started coming towards each other. I was expecting them to interact, nozzle or maybe fight, but they coincidentally got aligned in a way to cause this beautiful optical illusion,” the photographer explained.
“Laughing out loud”
Ingo Hamann got this priceless pic of a newborn seal in Helgoland, Germany.
Hope these photos made you laugh as hard as this! 🤣
All of the finalists can be viewed on the contest’s site here. Be sure to vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Vote here!