Walruses, handstanding leopards and a 'sexy mantis' lead record 10,000-entry Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards shortlist
From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026 · last updated 3 October 2026.
A lion cub clinging to an adult lioness, one of the finalist entries shortlisted for the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards.A seagull carrying a clump of grass, one of the humorous wildlife images shortlisted for the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards.An elephant curling its trunk skyward, one of the comic animal moments captured by photographers competing for the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards.Two beavers grooming each other, among the finalist images shortlisted for this year's Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards.A water buffalo adorned with aquatic plants, among the finalist entries shortlisted for the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards.An orangutan appearing to pick its nose, one of the finalist images shortlisted for the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, which accepts video entries as well as photographs.
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026 has unveiled its 40 individual finalists, chosen from a record-breaking pool of more than 10,000 entries submitted by photographers across 112 countries. Standout contenders include a caiman apparently rocking an Elvis-style wig, a polar bear seemingly mid-conversation with a seagull, and a praying mantis caught at an angle that left photographers calling it the 'Sexy Mantis'. Winners will be announced at a London ceremony on 8 December, with a free exhibition to follow at Gallery@Oxo from 9 to 13 December.
The competition, now in its 11th year, was co-founded by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, who launched it on the Serengeti in 2015.
This year's charity partner is the Born Free Foundation, which campaigns to protect wild animals from exploitation and conserve threatened species.
The public can vote for their favourite image for the People's Choice Award until 1 March 2027 on the competition's website.
