The natural world is full of unexpected moments of comedy, waiting for a patient observer with a camera to capture them. The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has once again succeeded in doing just that, showcasing the lighter side of nature while championing a serious cause. The 2025 edition of the competition has broken all previous records, highlighting both the artistry of photographers and the playful spirit of wildlife across the globe.
A Record-Breaking Year for Laughter and Conservation
The recently concluded awards ceremony for the 2025 cycle witnessed an unprecedented level of participation. The competition received more than 10,000 entries from photographers hailing from 109 different countries, marking the highest number of submissions in the contest's history. From this vast pool of hilarious and heartwarming images, the judges had the challenging task of selecting the best. They finally shortlisted 10 highly commended images and six category winners, representing a diverse array of creatures including birds, fish, and reptiles. One image was ultimately chosen as the overall winner.
Beyond the laughter, the competition has a profound mission. It dedicates 10% of its total revenue to the Whitley Fund for Nature. This donation directly supports conservation leaders who are working on the front lines to protect wildlife and their habitats around the world. Thus, every funny photo submitted contributes to a larger, vital effort to preserve the planet's biodiversity.
Spotlight on the Winning Moments
The selected photographs tell stories of accidental humor and perfect timing. Finnish photographer Valtteri Mulkahainen earned a Highly Commended spot with his image "Smile, You're Being Photographed." He described a one-year-old bear cub noticing his camera and breaking into a wide, seemingly intentional grin.
Another Highly Commended photo, "Bad Hair Day" by Christy Grinton, features a bird with wildly ruffled feathers. Grinton humorously compared the scene to the universal experience of having just washed your hair when the doorbell rings. Liliana Luca captured a lemur in Madagascar licking its fingers with theatrical flair, a moment she titled "Fonzies Advertising," reminiscent of old snack commercials.
The image "Landing Gear Down" by Erkko Badermann showcases the clumsy yet endearing landing of a red-throated loon, while Alison Tuck's "Now Which Direction Is My Nest?" perfectly frames a gannet on England's Bempton Cliffs with grass blown comically across its face.
Young Talent and the Overall Champion
The awards also highlighted promising young photographers. Grayson Bell, aged just 13, won the Reptile, Amphibian, and Insect category with his shot "Baptism of the Unwilling Convert." He captured two frogs in a pond in Maine, USA, in a pose that amusingly suggested one was baptizing the other. The Nikon Young Photographer Category was won by Paula Rustemeier for "Hit the Dance Floor," a dynamic image of playing foxes that exudes joy and personality.
The highest honor, the title of Overall Winner, was awarded to Mark Meth Cohn for his photograph "High Five." The image features a young, playful gorilla from the Amahoro family in Rwanda's Virunga Mountains, caught in a moment of acrobatic exuberance. Cohn expressed that watching the gorilla's performance was pure joy, and his image brilliantly encapsulates that playful spirit.
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 successfully reminds us that conservation can have a humorous heart. By blending art, comedy, and environmental advocacy, it creates a unique platform that engages a global audience in the important mission of protecting our planet's wonderful and often hilarious wildlife.
