2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards Finalists Highlight Global Humor in Conservation

Key points

• The competition received over 10,000 entries from 112 countries, narrowing down to 40 finalists.
• Winners will be announced on December 8 at an Awards Night in London.
• The top prize is a once-in-a-lifetime safari with Alex Walker’s Serian in the Masai Mara.
• Notable finalists include a 'sexy' mantis in Peru, a squirrel attacking an owl in California, and a 'yoga' bear in Alaska.
• The competition aims to use humor to foster empathy and support wildlife conservation.

Background

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been a long-running tradition, using humor to raise awareness of wildlife conservation. Previous years have seen similar global participation and a focus on using comedy to drive behavioral change for the better.

How outlets are covering it

Upworthy highlights 17 favorite entries, emphasizing the global reach and the use of humor to create empathy. BBC focuses on 10 of the funniest animal photos, including a 'yoga' bear and a 'resting owl face,' while also noting the conservation efforts in Peru. The Guardian provides a detailed look at the finalists, including a caiman with a 'wig' and a leopard doing a handstand, and mentions the December 8 announcement date. All sources agree on the record number of entries and the global participation, but differ in their specific highlights and the number of finalists mentioned (40 vs. 43 in some archive entries).

Why it matters

The competition uses humor to foster empathy for wildlife, which can lead to behavioral change and support conservation efforts. The global participation and record number of entries indicate a growing interest in wildlife photography and conservation.

What to watch

Judges will review the photos and do their research to determine the winners, who will be announced on December 8 at an Awards Night in London. The finalists will be exhibited in London from December 9 to 13.