A pride of lions shares a "humorous" moment at the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. "I captured this image in September 2024, during the dry season, when dwindling food and water can heighten family tensions. One morning near the Semetu Kopjes, we found a pride locked in a lively standoff - hungry cubs clamoring for milk, mothers giving in briefly before retreating in exhaustion. Life in the dry season is no picnic — lions are anxiously waiting for the Great Migration and the feast it promises — but it makes for some incredible wildlife behavior and these cubs were the stars of the show," explains the photographer. Picture: Bret Saalwaechter
The Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2025 were revealed to the public last week.
The winners will be announced at an awards evening in London on 9 December.
Here we bring you some of the hilarious highlights.
Ring-tailed lemurs photographed in Anja Community Reserve, in Madagascar. The photographer titled this “Welcome to Zen Lemur Yoga Course!” Picture: Andrey Giljov/Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsMorning antics of the Red-Crowned Cranes photographed in the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in East Hokkaido, Japan. Picture: David Rice/Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsA Sri Lankan Elephant playing peek a boo with his ears. Photographed in Sri Lanka. Picture: Henry Szwinto/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards“When I was photographing bears, this one year old bear cub saw it and started smiling at me. Apparently he had already had to pose in front of photographers,” jokes the photographer. This picture was captured at Martinselkonen village, Suomussalmi district. Finland. Picture: Valtteri Mulkahainen/Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsA Propithecus coronatus (Lemure) photographed in Madagascar. “He appeared staring at me with wide, curious eyes, as if questioning my presence. Then, with the grace of a stage actor and the timing of a comedian, he raised his hand, licked it thoughtfully, and then paused mid-gesture, as if he knew exactly what he was doing,” explains the photographer. Picture: Liliana Luca/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards“This photograph was taken during a trip to Rwanda, where we spent four unforgettable days trekking through the misty Virunga Mountains. This male was especially keen to show off his acrobatic flair; pirouetting, tumbling, and high kicking. Watching his performance was pure joy, and I’m thrilled to have captured his playful spirit in this image,” states the photographer. Picture: Mark Meth-Cohn/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards“During a photo safari in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, we were following this pair of lions in love. Unfortunately, they were disturbed by a violent thunderstorm, which dampened their enthusiasm! It created a cute scene with both of them shaking off the rain, but the male always prevailed due to his impressive mane!” explains the photographer. Picture: Massimo Felici/Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsSteller Eagles are the heaviest eagles in the world, weighing up to 9kgs and with wingspans up to 2.5 metres. They can be found in northern Russia, northern Japan and Korea and it is estimated there are only about 4500 adults currently left. This squabbling pair was photographed on Hokkaido, northern Japan. Picture: Michael Lane/Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsA Gannet is caught up on a windy day at Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire, UK. Picture: Alison Tuck/Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsTitled “Pied Piper of Penguins”, these King Penguins seem to be leading the sheep. Photographed at Falkland Islands. Picture: Ralph Robinson/Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsThe photographer captured this image of two Asian Water Monitors in a “battle hug” at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park in Singapore. Picture: Jessica Emmett/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
