The Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards are back for 2021 and this year is no exception when it comes to guffawing at the nominations for our fellow sentient beings. Given the year we’ve all had, the need for a good laugh while gaining a reminder of the plight of so many of our precious species couldn’t be more important.
The top shortlist of 42 snaps for the 2021 Awards has just been revealed and as always, there are some absolute crackers.
From a giggling seal, a giraffe riding monkey, and plenty of impressive Tik Tok inspired dance moves from various entries, there’s no shortage of laughter to be had.
There’s even a pigeon getting smacked in the face by a leaf.
Ha! This snake found that funny.
If you want to check out the full collection of nominees and be part of the actual judging process to choose a winner, the Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award is now open to the public, giving you the chance to vote for your favourite image and you might win an iPad.
The closing date for voting is 12th October.
The 2021 Winners will be announced on October 22nd.
Last years winner was Aussie Mark Fitzpatrick with his photo of Terry the Turtle flipping the bird at Lady Elliott Island.
Part hilarious, part middle finger to humanity destroying his habitat and species, the photo nailed it on every level.
How did the awards start?
Born from a passion for wildlife, and decades of experience living & working in East Africa, The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards began its life modestly in 2015 as a photographic competition.
Since then, steered by its founders and conservationists, Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, it has grown into a globally renowned competition seen by millions of people every year, and always with wildlife conservation at its heart.
The founders say that a “funny animal photo is incredibly effective because there are no barriers to understanding or taboos that must be negotiated. It taps into the impulse for anthropomorphism (big word!) which is well-documented as one of the most powerful triggers for human empathy.”
“To really understand animals and the issues that affect them, you need to empathise with them as fellow inhabitants of the same planet.”
The free competition, open to wildlife photography experts and novices, celebrates the hilarity of our natural world and highlights what we need to do to protect it.
From a surprised otter to a swearing turtle, Comedy Wildlife’s photographs transcend cultures and ages to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Comedy Wildlife Photo also donate 10% of their total net revenue to wonderful grass roots conservation projects that work to protect endangered wildlife.
This year, their partner is the Gunung Palung Orang-utan Conservation Program in Borneo. It helps to protect the environment that the wild Orang-utans inhabit, so they can survive and hopefully flourish.
You can visit their website www.savewildorangutans.com and have a look at the incredible work they do and help spread their message.
“Our world is extraordinarily beautiful and interconnected, yet the human race is doing its best to over-exploit and damage it. Issues of wildlife conservation and sustainability are gaining momentum globally, yet the messages and images tend to be negative, depressing and enervating.” – Paul Joynson-Hicks, Comedy Wildlife co-founder
You can find out more about this year’s competition, the mission and their conservation efforts on their website.
