Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026: 40 finalists selected from record 10,000 global entries

Key points

• 40 finalists were selected from over 10,000 entries submitted from 112 countries, marking a record year for the competition.
• Kevin Lohman’s photo 'Are You Kidding Me?' features a squirrel knocking a seven-week-old Great Horned Owl from a perch in Santa Cruz, California; the squirrel repeated this action three times.
• Scott Suriano’s 'Morning Calisthenics' captures a brown bear performing bicycle kicks near Lake Clark, Alaska, while Charles Janson’s 'Bears Sharing a Laugh' shows two subadult bears sparring in Chinitna Bay.
• Diego Perez’s 'Sexy Mantis' was taken in Cusco, Peru, within a proposed conservation area threatened by illegal gold mining, highlighting the intersection of humor and environmental protection.
• Winners in various categories will be announced on December 8, 2026.

Background

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards is an annual competition that highlights humorous and anthropomorphic moments in nature. Previous years have featured similar themes of animal behavior mimicking human actions. The 2026 cycle coincides with increased public interest in wildlife conservation, as noted in recent reports regarding bear-human conflicts in the US due to drought and food shortages, though the award focuses on artistic interpretation rather than ecological crisis.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and The Guardian provide detailed breakdowns of specific finalists, emphasizing the technical skill and luck involved in capturing moments like the owl’s 'unimpressed' face or the mantis’s visual trick. USA Today highlights the scale of the competition, noting the record number of entries and diverse global locations, including a caiman with a 'wig' in Brazil. The New York Post focuses heavily on the California-based entry by Kevin Lohman, framing it as a local success story, while also mentioning other standout images like the beavers and the eagle. All outlets agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis: BBC and Guardian focus on the artistic merit and specific photographer stories, USA Today on the global scope, and NY Post on the regional angle.

Why it matters

The competition raises awareness for wildlife conservation by drawing attention to species and habitats through humor. The inclusion of images from threatened areas, such as the orangutan in Borneo and the mantis in Peru, underscores the urgency of protecting these environments. The record number of entries indicates growing global interest in wildlife photography and the human-animal connection.

What to watch

Judges will evaluate the 40 finalists over the next few weeks. Winners in various categories, including the People’s Choice Award, will be announced on December 8, 2026. The winning images will likely be featured in exhibitions and media campaigns promoting wildlife conservation.