See the Finalists of the 2024 Comedy Wildlife Awards — from an Otter 'Guru' to a Squirrel Stuck Headfirst in a Tree

Mar. 15, 2025

One of the finalists of the 2024 Comedy Wildlife Awards is this photo of a smiling elephant seal.Photo:© Gabriel Rojo / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

The Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists - Smiling Elephant Seal

© Gabriel Rojo / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

The animal kingdom’s newest comedic stars have been unveiled!

On Thursday, Sept. 26, the finalists of the2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awardsphotography competition were announced, and the list includes a delightful mix of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians showing off their funny sides in nature.

A photo of a ‘contemplative’ chimpanzee.© Arvind Mohandas / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

The Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists - The Contemplative Chimpanzee

© Arvind Mohandas / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

“This shortlist of entries shows some of the most spectacular photos ever entered, catching wildlife’s funniest moments on camera,” they said in a press release.

“They are a cracking collection of amazing, jaw-dropping and laugh-out-loud photos of some of the most incredible wildlife that we share this planet with,” they added.

The free competition, first launched in 2015, is open to all wildlife photography novices, amateurs and professionals and “celebrates the hilarity of our natural world.”

A photo of a fish chasing after an eagle in the sky.© Przemyslaw Jakubczyk / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

The Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists - Unexpected role swap

© Przemyslaw Jakubczyk / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Animal lovers are invited to vote for their favorite image for the Affinity People’s Choice Award. Votes can be submitted on thecompetition’s websitethrough Oct. 31. The winner will receive a cash prize of £500 (about $670), courtesy of Affinity Photo, a professional photo-editing software.

A photo of two bear cubs clinging onto the back of an adult bear.© Alex Fine / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

The Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists - Holding on for a ride

© Alex Fine / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

This year’s photography competition will benefit the U.K. wildlife conservation organizationWhitley Fund for Nature, which has channeled £23 million (more than $30 million) in funds and grants to 200 conservation leaders in 80 countries since its inception in 1993.

A photo of a mantis appearing to do a flamenco dance.© Jose Miguel Gallego Molina / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

The Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists - Mantis-flamenca

© Jose Miguel Gallego Molina / Nikon Comedy Wildlife

According to its website, the competition was created with the goal of broadening “understanding and engagement of a sustainable world — and wildlife conservation specifically — for the preservation of biodiversity and the health and enrichment of everyone on Earth.”

source: people.com