Get Ready to Laugh: Hilarious Animal Photos Pour In for the Comedy Wildlife Awards
The world’s funniest wildlife photography competition is back for another year—and it’s already racking up hilarious entries from across the globe. The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has received over a thousand submissions capturing animals in their most funny, awkward, and downright charming moments.
To whet our appetites, the organizers have released a sneak peek at some early favorites and front-runners—think a tiny lizard giving a wave, a rhino rocking what looks like a wig, and mudskippers caught giggling.
Go away
“This was taken in Japan where I was observing a White-Tailed Sea Eagle putting their fish in a hole and protecting it,” says Annette Kirby. “This one had a fish and saw another Eagle coming in to try and steal it.”
Location of shot: Hokkaido Japan
Laugh like no-one is watching
“Two joyful mudskippers look they are having the best time in the mud – I just wish I knew what the joke was!” says Emma Parker.
Location of shot: Western Australia
Go give it a try!
The image shows Lion siblings at play, where one of the siblings seems to pushing the other one to do stuff that annoys their mom. Lions aren’t natural climbers, so it looks like one sibling is encouraging the other to do something naughty!
Location of shot: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Happy deer
“This roedeer was joyfully running around and suddenly coming my way. Had only 1 chance and nailed it,” says Jeremy Duvekot.
Location of shot: The Netherlands
Queueing for the polar plunge
“A really spontaneous shot from an expedition ship in Antarctica. Those gentoo penguins seemed to orderly wait in queue to finally jump into the sea,” says Martin Schmid.
Location of shot: Neumayer Channel, Antarctica
The wig
A Greater One-Horned Rhino feasting on aquatic fine dining, diving underwater and getting back up with a new wig made out of his delicious meal.
Location of shot: Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Commandeer
A lava lizard takes charge of a Galapagos marine iguana and sets off on a ride. Judging by the iguana’s possessed eyes, lava lizard may have taken over its soul, too. These two silly billies were hanging out with a big bunch of marine iguanas on a rocky beach.
Location of shot: Fernandina island, Galapagos islands, Ecuador
Aaaaaww Mum!
Caring Gorilla mum giving her infant a big sloppy kiss!
Location of shot: Rwanda
I HATE IKEA
Common Myna birds building their nest.
Location of shot: Kruger NP South Africa Skukuza Camp
Waving Dragon
Wandering along the Murrumbidgee River we spotted a few lizards scurrying under the rocks looking for lunch, next thing this Gippsland Waterdragon popped up and gave us a friendly wave.
Location of shot: Murrumbidgee River near Canberra, ACT, Australia
Photographers still have time to join in the fun and submit their entries as the contest remains open until June 30th, and it’s free to enter. It’s open to professionals and amateurs alike and winners will walk away with prizes such as an unforgettable safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
And it’s not just about laughs. Every year, the competition supports wildlife conservation causes. In 2025, they’re once again partnering with the Whitley Fund for Nature, a UK charity that helps empower conservation leaders across the Global South.
To enter or learn more, visit: www.comedywildlifephoto.com
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