The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 have named their finalists: 40 photographs picked from more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries, a record for the competition. The winners will be announced on December 8, and the public can vote now for the People's Choice Award on the competition's website.
Quick facts
| Finalists | 40 photos, 3 under-16 entries, 4 portfolios, 9 videos |
| Entries | 10,000+ from 112 countries (a record) |
| Winners announced | December 8, 2026, London |
| Exhibition | Gallery@Oxo, London, December 9–13 |
| People's Choice vote | Open now on the official site; until March 1, 2027, per The National |
| Top prize | A safari in Kenya's Masai Mara, plus Nikon gear |
| Charity | Born Free Foundation (10% of profits) |
The funniest finalists
The finalist that got the most attention is "Elvis" by Paolo Torre: a caiman surfacing with a mound of floating vegetation on its head that looks like a hairpiece. DIY Photography's headline called it "a caiman in a wig."
Other standouts, as described by Colossal, NBC and The National:
| Photo | Photographer | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| "Spicy Orangutan" | Tanner Mansell | An orangutan in Borneo appearing to give the middle finger |
| "Are You Kidding Me?" | Kevin Lohman | A squirrel launching itself at a young great horned owl |
| "Push Over" | Barbara Seiberl-Stark (Austria) | Young lions in a dry Zimbabwe riverbed, one toppling the other |
| "Doris with her Hat" | Andy Rouse (UK) | A water buffalo in Sri Lanka draped in vegetation like a headdress |
| "Fish-headed bird" | Eigil B. Jensen | A long-necked bird that appears to have a fish for a head |
| "Out of Water" | Thong Duy Vu | A tiny sunbird resting upside down in a pink petal |
| "The Ground Is Lava" | Robert Gondek | A chameleon walking on its hind legs |
| "Hair Check Before the Family Photo" | Subi Sridharan | A meerkat |
| "Bears Sharing a Joke" | Charles Janson | Two brown bears play-fighting |
| "Resting Owl Face" | Ka Chun Jacky | A little owl in China's Nanling National Forest Park |
How do I vote in the Comedy Wildlife Awards?
- Go to the official Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards website.
- Open the 2026 finalists gallery.
- Choose the People's Choice vote and pick your favourite.
The National reports the People's Choice vote is open until March 1, 2027, well after the main winners are named.
When are the winners announced?
The overall winner, category winners and highly commended entries will be revealed at a ceremony in London on December 8, 2026. The finalists then go on show at Gallery@Oxo, December 9–13.
The judges include broadcaster Kate Humble, comedian Hugh Dennis, and wildlife photographers Will Burrard-Lucas and Daisy Gilardini.
Why a comedy photo contest?
The awards were founded in 2015 by professional wildlife photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam. The point, Sullam says, is serious:
"We use humour to get people to feel empathy towards wildlife."
This year the competition is supporting the Born Free Foundation, donating 10 per cent of its profits to the charity, according to The National.
Can I enter next year?
Yes. Entry is free and open to professionals, amateurs and complete beginners. Watch the official site for the 2027 entry window and rules.
Published Sunday, October 18, 2026. Finalist details are from the competition's announcement as reported by Colossal, The National, NBC and DIY Photography. The photo above is a file image of meerkats and is not a competition entry; the finalists' own images are shown on the official competition website.
