The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026 has unveiled 40 finalists, a globe-spanning set of comic encounters that turns candid animal behavior into pure delight. Drawn from the competition’s highest ever number of entries—more than 10,000 photographs submitted by photographers in 112 countries—the shortlist revels in timing, personality, and the unexpected.
Scenes that stole the show
Among the standout moments is Tanner Mansell’s Spicy Orangutan, snapped in Borneo, and a damselfly that appears to wave at British photographer Lee Frost through a tiny window chewed into a leaf, as seen in Nature’s Window. The finalists’ gallery moves from slapstick to subtle gestures, each framing a fleeting spark of kinship with the creatures we share the planet with.
- Barbara Seiberl-Stark, Push Over
- David Lee, The Leap He’ll Never Forget
- Thong Duy Vu, Out of Water
- Lee Frost, Nature’s Window
- Scott Suriano, Morning Calisthenics
- Jan Wittmer, Angry Bird
- Kevin Lohman, Are You Kidding Me
- Robert Gondek, The Ground Is Lava
- Robert Nairn, Ballet Dancer
- Diego Perez, Sexy Mantis
- Eigil B Jensen, Fish-headed bird
- Dirk Koster, The different one
Mission, momentum, and whats next
What began as a small effort to raise awareness of wildlife conservation has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined, says awards co-founder Tom Sullam. We use humour to get people to feel empathy towards wildlife, and its that empathy that creates behavioural change for the better.
Nikon will announce the competition winners on December 8. Until then, the contests website features all 40 finalists alongside portfolios, videos, and youth submissions, and voting is open for the Sterna Peoples Choice Award.
The finalists demonstrate how a split seconds expression or an improbable pose can connect viewers to conservation through laughter. Whether its an orangutan in Borneo or a damselfly framed by a nibbled leaf, this years images turn sharp observation into shared joy.
