The Funniest Wildlife Photos of 2026 Have Finally Been Revealed
Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026: Funniest PhotosJan Wittmer / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026
Have you ever seen an eagle "strut his stuff"? Or a praying mantis in a rather suggestive position? The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards show wild animals in funny and unexpected situations, and the moments this year's finalists have captured are truly laugh-out-loud.
Rather than urgency, the photography and videography competition relies on the "positive power of humour" to bring attention to the endangered wildlife and habitats our planet relies on. The concept has worked well; in 2026, the competition received more than 10,000 entries – the highest number in its 11-year history – from 112 countries.
From Belgian beavers to Irish goslings to African elephants, this year's finalists depict a wide range of wild animals from all over the world, captured in hilarious and strangely relatable situations.
"Sexy Mantis" by Diego Perez from PeruDiego Perez / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026
There's a caiman – a relative of the alligator – wearing a 'toupé' and looking rather pleased about it, a little owl blinking sleepily into the setting sun, an orangutan giving the photographer a piece of its mind, and a Great Horned Owl's flabbergasted expression as it spots a protective squirrel launching an aerial attack.
The emotions and situations you see, of course, depend on your interpretation of each image, but each one compels the viewer to empathize with the wild animals depicted on a personal level.
"What began as a small effort to raise awareness of wildlife conservation has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined," says professional photographer Tom Sullman, who co-founded the Comedy Wildlife Awards with Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE in 2015.
"Are You Kidding Me?" by Kevin Lohman, USAKevin Lohman / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026
"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. We use humour to get people to feel empathy towards wildlife, and it's that empathy that creates behavioural change for the better."
This year's iteration supports the Born Free Foundation, an international charity rescuing and protecting wild animals from exploitation, and conserving threatened species and their natural habitats.
The competition winners will be announced on Tuesday, 8 December at an awards night in London, followed by a one-week exhibition from 9-13 December at the Oxo Gallery showcasing all of this year's finalists.
For now, take a look at our favorites – and try not to laugh...
The funniest photos from the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026
"Little Godzilla" by Udo Harms, GermanyUdo Harms / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026"Zonkling" by Celine Nic Oireachtaigh, IrelandCeline Nic Oireachtaigh / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Doris with her hat" by Andy Rouse, UKAndy Rouse / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Resting Owl Face" by Ka Chum Jacky Sung, Hong KongKa Chum Jacky Sung / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Smile" by Marek Jackowski, PolandMarek Jackowski / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Elvis" by Paolo Torre, ItalyPaolo Torre / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"A Very Pressured Spadefish" by Kyo Chen, TaiwanKyo Chen / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Fashion fades. Feather coats are forever" by Tapani Linnanmäki, FinlandTapani Linnanmäki / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"This is my best side" by Natalie Veekmans, BelgiumNatalie Veekmans / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Spicy Orangutan" by Tanner Mansell, USATanner Mansell / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Ballet Dancer" by Robert Nairn, UKRobert Nairn / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Two birds one vision" by Lynn Emery, UKLynn Emery / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026"Lessons" by Heather Cudworth, USAHeather Cudworth / Nikon Wildlife Comedy Awards 2026
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Source: Nature