Wild Hijinx and Hilarious Happenstance Reign in the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards

The year’s best roundup of the funniest animal photos is back with its list of 2026 finalists, taking on a kind of blooper reel-like quality with some of the goofiest happenstances and candid moments photographers captured. Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026 celebrates the wild, wonderful, and wily in habitats around the world.

From Tanner Mansell’s “Spicy Orangutan” snapped in Borneo to a damselfly appearing to wave at British photographer Lee Frost through a window in a nibbled leaf, this year’s top contenders are not only silly, but immanently relatable, illustrating how for all of our differences, we all share this incredible planet.

At more than 10,000 photos, the competition received its highest ever number of entries this year from photographers in 112 countries. “What began as a small effort to raise awareness of wildlife conservation has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined,” says awards co-founder Tom Sullam. “We use humour to get people to feel empathy towards wildlife, and it’s that empathy that creates behavioural change for the better.”

Nikon will announce the competition winners on December 8. In the meantime, see all 40 finalists, plus portfolios, videos, and youth submissions on the contests’s website. Additionally, cast your vote for the Sterna People’s Choice Award.

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