Record 10,000 entries flood the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards as 'sea gangster' walruses and exercising bear make the 2026 shortlist
From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026.
An orangutan is among the 40 finalists selected from a record-breaking pool of more than 10,000 entries submitted across 112 countries for the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards.A water buffalo draped in aquatic plants is among the 40 finalists chosen from more than 10,000 entries across 112 countries for the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards.An elephant's upward-curling trunk features among the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists, with winners to be announced on 8 December at a ceremony in London.Two beavers groom each other in a finalist image from the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards, which this year supports the Born Free Foundation, dedicated to conserving threatened species and habitats.A seagull carries a clump of vegetation in a finalist image from this year's competition, which accepts entries from a public vote for a People's Choice winner open until 1 March.A lion cub clings to an adult lioness in a finalist image from the awards, which co-founder Tom Sullam says 'started gently on the Serengeti' and has grown 'far bigger than we ever imagined'.
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has revealed its 40 finalists from a record-breaking pool of more than 10,000 entries submitted across 112 countries — the highest in the competition's 11-year history. Standout images include a brown bear in Alaska appearing to do morning calisthenics, a leopard seemingly performing a handstand, and a squad of walruses that surfaced together looking, in the photographer's words, like 'sea gangsters about to drop the hardest album of 2024'. Winners will be announced on 8 December at a ceremony in London, with the public able to vote for a People's Choice winner until 1 March.
Co-founder Tom Sullam said the competition 'started gently on the Serengeti' and has grown into something 'far bigger than we ever imagined'.
This year's competition is supporting the Born Free Foundation, dedicated to rescuing wild animals and conserving threatened species and habitats.
Finalists also include a flirtatious praying mantis, a polar bear apparently deep in conversation with a seagull, and a coiffured giraffe.
