A cheeky ant, stoned-looking owls, and a very goofy elephant seal are just some of the characters in this year’s finalists for the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography awards.

Ahead of announcing the winners on December 10, the award’s organizers have released a shortlist of 40 standalone images, four portfolio entries, and three videos from the 2024 competition.

They’re also pleased to announce that voting is open for the People’s Choice Award, offering the public the chance to pick their favorite image and enter a free prize draw to win £500. Click here to vote until polling closes on October 31. 

“We are thrilled to unveil the finalists for the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of photographers from all around the world. These images capture not only the humor and charm of wildlife but also highlight the importance of conservation in a way that resonates with people of all ages and from all different walks of life,” Stefan Maier, Nikon Europe Senior General Manager Marketing, said in a statement sent to IFLScience.

“At Nikon, we are immensely proud to be part of a competition that brings both joy and awareness to the wonder of our natural world,” said Maier.

The awards were co-founded by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam in 2015 with the aim of promoting exceptional wildlife photography while raising awareness of the planet’s biodiversity through humor. 

This year, the winners will be selected by a panel of judges featuring several wildlife photographers and conservationists, as well as TV presenter Kate Humble and comedian Hugh Dennis. Winners will be announced on December 10 at an award ceremony in London followed by a week-long exhibition to showcase this year’s talent. 

For a glimpse of what’s in store, you can check out some of the winners from previous years here and here. 

“We have hit our tenth year of competition, and the entries, support, and laughs just keep going up. It’s a privilege to be part of this exciting journey, making us all laugh and raising our awareness of animal conservation,” said Sullam.

“We can’t wait to announce the winners!”