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Organizers of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have unveiled the funniest animal photos of the year — which include a face-planting frog and a buffoonish beaver.
More than 40 images of mammals, birds, reptiles, and more have reached the finals in the global contest that uses comedy to promote conservation.
Paul Joynson-Hicks, a wildlife photographer in East Africa, started the contest in 2015 after looking through his photos and finding several laugh-worthy snapshots.
“Our world is extraordinarily beautiful and interconnected, yet the human race is doing its best to over-exploit and damage it,” Joynson-Hicks said on the award’s website. “Issues of wildlife conservation and sustainability are gaining momentum globally, yet the messages and images tend to be negative, depressing and enervating.”
Instead of airing a tear-jerking commercial of suffering animals to spur people into action, the photo competition uses a more lighthearted approach to raise awareness.
One photo, titled “This is my best side,” shows two beavers fooling around in shallow water. One of the beavers looks at the camera with a soft smile, while the other lifts its head back and shows off its huge orange teeth.
In another photo titled “Elvis,” a caiman, which is a relative of alligators, has a clump of black hair-like vegetation on its head, giving the appearance of a wig.
And then there is a photo titled “Sexy mantis” — a praying mantis behind a leaf with two of its legs posed to look like it’s lounging on the beach. The snap has made it to the finals.
A grumpy-looking goldcrest is pictured in another finalist photo titled “Angry Bird.”
In a photo titled “Lessons,” an adult elephant is seen kicking dirt in a baby elephant’s face using its trunk.
Another picture titled “Morning calisthenics,” shows a brown bear sitting on its bum while it lifts its legs and waves its arms in the air.
A set of photos shows two frogs frolicking in shallow water. One of the frogs is splashing around while the other leaps and lands headfirst.
In a picture titled “Hair Check Before the Family Photo,” a meerkat appears to be about to pat the head of another meerkat as a third looks on.
A snap titled “Squirrel wars” shows a red squirrel mid-jump with a nut in its mouth. The squirrel appeared to leap in the air with its arms up to try to land on a log.
A photo titled “Oooh, that tickels…” shows two elephant seals macking. One of the seals has its mouth open wide, while the other seal appears to be playfully biting its neck.
Contest organizers received more than 10,000 submissions from 112 countries, which they say is the highest number in the contest’s history.
There are multiple competition categories for different types of animals photographed and for the different ages of photographers. The winners, which will be decided by a judging panel, will be announced on December 8 at an awards ceremony in London, CNN reported.
There’s also the Sterna People’s Choice Award, where the public can vote on their favorite photos via the Comedy Wildlife’s website. One voter will also be randomly selected to receive £500 or about $660.
Organizers said in a Facebook post announcing the finalists last Friday that the photos “are designed to make you laugh, or smile, but definitely to raise your spirits.
“In so doing, they help build empathy towards the animals featured, and it is that empathy that helps us change our behaviour and attitudes for the better.”
