Happy Deer; A Roedeer joyfully hops around in The Netherlands
Jeremy Duvekot, Netherlands – Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2025
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has teased a preview selection of new funny animal photos entered to date in its 2025 photography competition “to brighten anyone’s day with a chuckle and something positive to brighten the week.”
With less than a month to go before it closes for entries on June 30, the 2025 free-to-enter photo and video competition is open to “professional photographers, amateur shutterbugs, beginners and young clickers, using any camera brand.” Among the prizes for the winners are a safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara with Alex Walker’s Serian, plus Nikon camera bags and camera kits.
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A very happy deer, a small lava lizard driving a giant iguana and a wig-topped rhino are among the funny entries selected for this preview showing wildlife animals “being their usual selves, showing off and making us realise that we are very lucky to have them on this planet!”
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards were co-founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam to create a competition that focuses on the lighter side of wildlife photography while keeping sustainability in the forefront by promoting the conservation of wildlife and habitats through humour.
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Showing a lighter side of wild animal photography, the contest runs in partnership with Nikon and supports the nonprofit Whitley Fund for Nature dedicated to empowering conservation leaders across the Global South. Over 30 years, the organization has channeled £23 million to more than 220 conservationists in 80 countries.
“Comedy Wildlife’s photographs transcend cultures and ages to bring a smile to everyone’s face and with a mission to engage wildlife lovers everywhere to be part of a global conversation about conservation,” say the organizers.
Commander, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Racheller Mackintosh, Australia – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
A lava lizard takes charge of a Galapagos marine iguana and sets off on a ride. Judging by the iguana’s possessed eyes, the lava lizard may have taken over its soul, too. These two prehistoric-looking creatures were hanging out with a group of marine iguanas on a rocky beach on Fernandina Island in the Galapagos Islands.
Queueing for the polar plunge, Neumayer Channel, Antarctica
Martin Schmid, Austria – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
A spontaneous shot from an expedition ship in Antarctica caught these gentoo penguins seemingly waiting patiently for their turn to jump into the sea.
Go give it a try! Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Bhargava Srivari, India – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
The image shows lion siblings at play, one of them appearing to give a push to the other, maybe to annoy their mom. Lions aren’t natural climbers, so it looks like one sibling is encouraging the other to do something naughty!.
Go away, Hokkaido, Japan
Annette Kirby, Australia – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
This image from Japan catches a White-Tailed Sea Eagle hiding a fish in a hole as another eagle was approaching to steal it.
I Hate Ikea, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Brian Hempstead, U.S. – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
A Common Myna bird builds a nest big enough for a presumably growing family in a South African national park.
Rhino in Wig, Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Yann Chauvette, Canada – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
A Greater One-Horned Rhino feasting on aquatic fine dining, dove underwater and got back up with a new wig made from his delicious meal.
Aaaaaww Mum!, Rwanda
Mark Meth-Cohn, UK – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025
A caring gorilla mum gifts her infant a big sloppy kiss.
Waving Dragon, Murrumbidgee River near Canberra, Australia
Trevor Rix, Australia – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Along the Murrumbidgee River near Canberra, Australia, lizards were scurrying under the rocks looking for lunch. This junior Gippsland Waterdragon popped up and gave a friendly wave.
Laugh Like No-One Is Watching, Western Australia
Emma Parker, Australia – Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
“A guppy swims into a bar…” Two joyful Blue Spotted Mudskippers look like they’re sharing the latest Internet joke.
The 2025 funny animal photos competition is free to enter and now open worldwide, only via the website. It will close on June 30. The finalist list of funny animals photos will be announced in October and the winners named either in November or December.