Get ready for an in-depth exploration of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, a competition celebrated for its unique blend of humor and a crucial conservation mission. We’ll revisit the standout winners of 2024 and reveal the thrilling finalists for 2025, offering a comprehensive look at the images that make us laugh and think.
The world of wildlife photography is often associated with breathtaking landscapes and majestic creatures, yet a unique competition has carved out a niche by highlighting the lighter, more humorous side of nature. The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, co-founded in 2015 by professional photographers and passionate conservationists Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, has become a global phenomenon. It blends exceptional wildlife photography with the undeniable power of humor, all to promote the vital conservation of our planet’s diverse species and habitats. This initiative goes beyond mere amusement, as it consistently supports a sustainable conservation organization each year, demonstrating that laughter can indeed be a powerful catalyst for positive change.
Reliving the Laughter: Highlights from the 2024 Winners
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2024 saw an overwhelming response with thousands of hilarious entries from around the world. The competition culminated in an awards night at the Oxo Gallery in London, where the standout images were celebrated. These photos captured animals in unintentionally comical situations, proving that wildlife has a knack for making us smile.
The coveted overall winner for 2024 was Milko Marchetti for his laugh-out-loud image, ‘Stuck Squirrel‘. Captured in Podere Pantaleone Park in Bagnacavallo, Ravenna, Italy, the photo perfectly timed a squirrel appearing to be comically stuck in a tree hole. Marchetti described the shot as capturing the exact moment the squirrel detached its hind legs to enter its hide, a sight that consistently drew “raucous laughter” from his local photography club audience.
Beyond the overall winner, the 2024 awards recognized incredible talent across various categories, featuring a diverse range of animals and amusing scenarios. The competition highlighted both emerging and experienced photographers, bringing a fresh perspective to wildlife appreciation.
- Nikon Junior Category Winner (16 yrs and under): Sarthak Rangana Dhan with ‘Smooching Owlets‘, depicting two spotted owlets in a moment of apparent parental embarrassment.
- Nikon Young Photographer Award (25 yrs and under): Kingston Tam for his ‘Awkward Smiley Frog‘, a delightful close-up of a frog seemingly grinning at the camera.
- Insect Award: Jose Miguel Gallego Molina‘s ‘Mantis Flamenca‘, showing a flemish mantis poised dramatically as if performing a flamenco dance.
- Birds Category: Damyan Petkov for ‘Whiskered Tern Crash Landing‘, a priceless image of a tern face-planting onto a rock while its companion looks on.
- Fish and Other Aquatic Animals Category: Przemyslaw Jakubczyk‘s ‘Unexpected Role Swap‘, where a bream appears to chase a bald eagle across the sky.
- Affinity Photo 2 People’s Choice Award: Tapani Linnanmäki with ‘Shake Ruffle Rattle and Roll‘, featuring a white-tailed eagle comically fluffing its feathers.
- Reptile Category: Eberhard Ehmke‘s ‘Frog in a Balloon‘.
- Video Award: Kevin Lohman for his clip of a ‘Fox with the Zoomies!‘.
- Portfolio Category: Ten-year-old Flynn Thai Tan Unde-Lobb, the youngest-ever category winner, for his collection of four images including ‘Rock Guitar’, ‘Roly Poly’, and ‘Weight Lifting’, capturing a squirrel’s rock star antics.
These winners, among others, truly demonstrated the vibrant and unexpected humor found in the natural world, inspiring many with their unique captures.
The 2025 Finalists are Here: A Glimpse into the Next Wave of Wildlife Wonders
The excitement continues with the announcement of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 finalists. This year saw an unprecedented level of participation, with just under 10,000 entries pouring in from a staggering 108 countries. Each submission is a testament to the global appeal and unifying power of wildlife humor, and a reminder of the sheer joy and wonder that animals bring to our lives.
The shortlisted entries for 2025 comprise 40 standalone images, 3 portfolio entries, and 10 videos, all vying for the top accolades. What makes these awards truly special, beyond the laughs, is the strict adherence to authenticity; all images are real, with no AI or digital manipulation permitted. This commitment to genuine moments captured in the wild reinforces the competition’s core message: celebrate nature as it is.
Spotlight on Some 2025 Finalists
The 2025 selection showcases a phenomenal array of amusing animal behaviors:
- Valtteri Mulkahainen‘s ‘Smile, You’re Being Photographed‘ captures a bear cub with an uncanny grin, as if it’s a seasoned model.
- Stefan Cruysberghs brings us ‘Squirrel Airborne: Surrender Mode‘, a red squirrel mid-jump, appearing to throw its paws up in comedic surrender.
- Mark Meth-Cohn‘s ‘High Five‘ features a young gorilla enthusiastically playing, caught in a high-kicking pose in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains.
- Erkko Badermann‘s ‘Landing Gears Down‘ beautifully captures a Red-throated Loon’s typically wobbly landing, transforming it into a graceful, albeit humorous, belly-glide.
- Christy Grinton‘s ‘Bad Hair Day!‘ shows a grey squirrel with its wet tail humorously obscuring its face, a relatable moment for anyone after a shower.
- Grayson Bell‘s ‘Baptism Of The Unwilling Convert‘ captures two male Green frogs in a territorial dispute, one appearing to dunk the other in a comically unwilling ‘baptism’.
- Miles Astray‘s ‘Flamingone‘ plays a clever trick on the eye, showing a flamingo with its head tucked beneath its torso, giving the illusion of a headless bird.
- Massimo Felici‘s ‘Darling, Please Stop!‘ depicts a pair of lions comically shaking off rain after a thunderstorm, with the male’s impressive mane making him look particularly dramatic.
These images, and many others, highlight the incredible diversity of comedic moments hidden in plain sight, rewarding photographers for their patience and keen eye.
The Driving Force: Conservation Through Comedy
At its core, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards is more than just a photography competition; it’s a powerful platform for conservation. The founders, Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, envisioned a competition that could leverage the positive power of humor to raise awareness for wildlife and habitat protection. By showcasing these genuinely funny images, the awards engage a broader audience, fostering a deeper connection and appreciation for the natural world.
In 2025, the competition continues its partnership with the UK charity Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN). WFN is dedicated to supporting conservation pioneers working in their home countries across the Global South. Over the past three decades, WFN has channelled £24 million to 220 conservationist leaders in 80 countries, an impressive track record highlighted by the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards which donates 10% of its profits to the organization. This collaboration underscores the impactful link between inspiring photography and tangible conservation efforts, making every chuckle count towards a greater cause.
Recognizing Excellence: Prizes and Categories for 2025
The stakes are high for the 2025 finalists, with substantial prizes awaiting the winners. The overall champion will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya, courtesy of Alex Walker’s Serian. Additional prizes include cutting-edge camera equipment such as a Z6III Nikon Camera, a Z50II Nikon Camera, and the new Nikon ZR, along with photography rucksacks from ThinkTANK.
The 2025 competition features several distinct categories:
- Alex Walker’s Serian Mammals Category
- Spectrum Photo Birds Category
- ThinkTANK Reptiles and Amphibians Category
- Fish and Other Aquatic Species
- Insects Category
- Nikon Young Photographer (up to 25yrs)
- Nikon Junior Category (up to 16 yrs)
- Amazing Internet Portfolio Category
- Nikon Video Category
In addition to the judges’ selections, the public has the chance to participate in the People’s Choice Award, with voting open from December 10, 2025, until March 1, 2026. The winner of this popular award will be announced on March 12, 2026. This allows enthusiasts from around the globe to have their say and celebrate their favorite comedic wildlife moments.
Mark Your Calendars: Exhibition and Winners Announcement
The grand announcement of the 2025 competition winners will take place on December 9, 2025, at an exclusive Awards Night in London. Following this, a free exhibition showcasing all the finalists’ incredible work will be held at the Gallery@Oxo, from December 10 to December 14, 2025. This provides a fantastic opportunity for the public to experience these captivating and humorous images firsthand. The judging panel, composed of renowned experts including Nikon Creators Cameron Whitnall, Hannah Stitfall, and Roxy Furman, TV presenter Kate Humble, actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, Nikon Ambassador Daisy Gilardini, and conservationists Will Travers OBE and Bella Lack, will meticulously select the winning entries.
As Stefan Maier, Nikon Europe Senior General Manager Marketing, aptly puts it, these awards “combine wit and wonder to celebrate nature’s character, while emphasising the urgency of conservation.” The competition not only brings joy but also acts as a crucial reminder of why our wild world is worth protecting. For more information on the competition and past winners, visit the official website: ComedyWildlifePhoto.com. To learn more about the conservation partner, visit Whitley Fund for Nature.
Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife photographer or simply a nature lover, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards offers a unique and impactful way to engage with the natural world. These photos inspire us to look closer, laugh louder, and contribute to the vital work of conservation. And if these images spark your own photographic ambitions, remember that entries for the 2025 competition open in March 2026, offering everyone a chance to capture the next viral moment of wildlife comedy.
