Photos of a dancing gorilla, a choir of lions, a smoking duck and frog teamwork are in the running for the funniest wildlife image of 2025.
The annual Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards announced the finalists for the 2025 competition on Oct. 22 from a “record number of brilliant and hilarious entries, with just under 10,000 in total from 108 countries,” according to a news release. All images are authentic, and “no AI or digital manipulation is permitted to create the photographs,” the competition noted.
The shortlist, consisting of 40 standalone images, three portfolio entries and 10 video entries, is “a cracking collection of jaw dropping and laugh out loud photos of some of the most incredible wildlife that we share this planet with,” according to the competition organizers.
“These images combine wit and wonder to celebrate nature’s character, while emphasizing the urgency of conservation,” Nikon Europe Senior General Manager Marketing Stefan Maier said in a statement. “At Nikon, we’re proud to support a competition that sparks joy while reminding us why our wild world is worth protecting.”
Over the next few weeks, a team of highly expert judges will select the winners from the collection, who will be announced on Dec. 9 at an Awards Night in London. The images will then be displayed at a free exhibition from Dec. 10-14 at the Gallery@Oxo in London for the public to see.
See finalists for 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
This image — titled “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” — taken at Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park in September 2024 shows an entire pride erupt in a chorus of roars and wails as heat and dwindling food and water sources gives rise to heightened family tensions.
Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 categories, prizes
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards were co-founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam as a free competition that’s open to wildlife photography novices, amateurs and professionals. The competition celebrates “exceptional wildlife photography and the positive power of humor in a bid to help promote the conservation of wildlife and habitats that our precious planet relies on,” according to the news release.
While the top prize is a one-week safari with safari tour organizer Alex Walker’s Serian in the Masai Mara, Kenya, other prizes include Nikon cameras and photography rucksacks from travel gear manufacturer ThinkTANK. Competition categories include:
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Alex Walker’s Serian Mammals Category
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Spectrum Photo Birds Category
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ThinkTANK Reptiles and Amphibians Category
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Fish and Other Aquatic Species
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Nikon Young Photographer (up to 25 years)
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Nikon Junior Category (up to 16 years)
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Amazing Internet Portfolio Category
Vote in the 2025 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Wildlife enthusiasts and members of the public can also get involved by voting for their favorite image in the People’s Choice Award category between Dec. 10 and March 1, 2026, by heading to the competition’s website and clicking on the People’s Choice link. The winner of this category will be announced on March 12, 2026.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Comedy Wildlife Awards reveals funniest animal photos. See collection
