From an Exercising Bear to Posing Beavers, View the Finalists for the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards
“Did I Sleep Past My Alarm?” by Fabi FregonesididCredit: Fabi Fregonesidid/Nikon Comedy Wildlife
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has announced the finalists for 2026, featuring more than 50 hilarious photos and videos capturing animals in unexpectedly funny moments
This year’s contest received a record 10,000 entries from photographers across 112 countries
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 8 in London, to help promote wildlife conservation
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards are back with a brand new selection of the funniest photos from the animal kingdom.
The photography contest, created in 2015, released its shortlist of 2026 finalists on Friday, Oct. 2, showcasing 43 photos, four portfolios and nine videos, according to a press release obtained by PEOPLE.
Among this year’s hilarious snaps are a brown bear doing sit-ups, an elephant trying to hide by covering his eye with his trunk and a shocked-looking blenny fish. They’re joined by two beavers seeming to pose for cameras, a displeased goldcrest bird and two elephant seals playing.
“This Is My Best Side” by Natalie VeekmansCredit: Natalie Veekmans/Nikon Comedy Wildlife
Doug Gimesy, who took the photo of the seals, said, “I hope the images I take and the information I share will encourage others to treat the natural world and all its wonderful wildlife a little more kindly.”
Co-founded by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the photography competition aims to combine “exceptional wildlife photography and the positive power of humor” to help promote wildlife conservation, with this year’s contest supporting Born Free Foundation, per the release.
“Morning Calisthenics” by Scott SurianoCredit: Scott Suriano/Nikon Comedy Wildlife
The free contest is “open to wildlife photography novices, amateurs and professionals,” the release states.
This year, it received a record 10,000 entries from 112 countries, with entrants hoping to win the top prize of a safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara Nature Reserve. Other prizes include cameras and photography equipment from Nikon and photography rucksacks from ThinkTANK.
PEOPLE has viewed a selection of the images in the running for the awards, with competition categories including the best mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian, fish and insect snaps, as well as Nikon Junior (under 16 years old), Nikon Young Photographer (under 25 years old), Amazing Internet Portfolio and Nikon Video Category awards.
“Angry-Bird” by Jan WittmerCredit: Jan Wittmer/Nikon Comedy Wildlife
“What began as a small effort to raise awareness of wildlife conservation has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined,” Sullam said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
“The competition is now truly global, and a decade or so on, we want to make it even bigger, funnier, and more far-reaching than ever,” he continued. “We use humor to get people to feel empathy towards wildlife, and it’s that empathy that creates behavioural change for the better.”
“Sexy Mantis” by Diego PerezCredit: Diego-Perez/Nikon Comedy Wildlife
Stefan Maier, a general manager with Nikon, added, “With more than 10,000 hilarious and heartfelt images capturing the character and vibrancy of our natural world, the competition also pulls into focus the vital importance of conservation.”
The winners of the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards will be revealed on Tuesday, Dec. 8 in London, before the photos will be showcased at the city’s Oxo Gallery from Dec. 9 through Dec. 13.
“If I Can’t See You” by Cliff FawcettCredit: Cliff Fawcettif/Nikon Comedy Wildlife
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Last year’s overall winning photo was a snap of a gorilla dancing in a forest in Rwanda taken by British photographer Mark Meth-Cohn. In his image, named “High Five,” the young ape is seen throwing his leg and arm up in the air and flashing his teeth.
“Ooh… That Tickles” by Douglas GimesyCredit: Douglas Gimesy/Nikon Comedy Wildlife
“One young male was especially keen to show off his acrobatic flair, pirouetting, tumbling, and high kicking,” Meth-Cohn said. “Watching his performance was pure joy, and I’m thrilled to have captured his playful spirit in this image.”
To check out all the finalists for the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, visit the competition’s website.
Source: Nature