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15 of the Funniest Finalists from the 2020 Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

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It’s that time of year again. Our favorite time of year. The time of year when we get to share the finalists (and eventually the winners) of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. A chance to remind ourselves that wildlife isn’t always so majestic… sometimes it’s downright silly.

The 44 finalists for the 2020 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards were unveiled early this morning, and it may just be the best crop of contestants yet.

Each year, these awards do double duty: pairing a bit of light-hearted comic relief with an important message of wildlife and environmental conservation. This year, that message is that you, too, can be a “conservationist at home” by shopping locally and responsibly, only flying long haul when absolutely necessary (not so much of an issue right now…), or doing something as simple as putting plant boxes on your windowsills.

You can learn more about this year’s conservation message on the Comedy Wildlife website. Or, if you’re just here for the funny photos (no judgement), scroll down to see 15 of our favorite finalists:

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Photo © Arthur Telle Thiemenn | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Arthur Telle Thiemenn

Caption: Smiley

Animal: Sparisoma cretense

Location: El Hierro, Canary Islands


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Photo © Brigitte Alcalay Marcon | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Brigitte Alcalay Marcon

Caption: Crashing into the picture

Animal: Giraffe

Location: Etosha National Park. Namibia


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Photo © Bernhard Esterer | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Bernhard Esterer

Caption: Spreading the Wildlife Gossip

Animal: Lions

Location: Kalahari Desert


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Photo © Jacques Poulard | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Jacques Poulard

Caption: Lamentation!

Animal: Polar Bear

Location: Spitzberg


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Photo © Ken Crossan | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Ken Crossan

Caption: Having a Laugh

Animal: Common seal

Location: Caithness, Scotland


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Photo © Krisztina Scheef | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Krisztina Scheef

Caption: Seriously, would you share some

Animal: Atlantic Puffin

Location: Scotland, UK


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Photo © Danielle D’Ermo | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Danielle D’Ermo

Caption: Tern tuning its wings

Animal: Tern

Location: Florida, USA


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Photo © Mark Fitzpatrick | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Mark Fitzpatrick

Caption: Terry the Turtle flipping the bird

Animal: Turtle

Location: Lady Elliot Island, Queensland Australia


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Photo © Max Teo | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Max Teo

Caption: It’s the last day of school holidays

Animal: Smooth-coated otter

Location: Singapore


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Photo © Pearl Kasparian | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Pearl Kasparian

Caption: No Penguins Under Here!

Animal: Penguin

Location: Boulder’s Beach, Cape Town, South Africa


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Photo © Petr Sochman | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Petr Sochman

Caption: Social distance, please!

Animal: Rose Ringed Parakeet

Location: Kaudulla national park, Sri Lanka


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Photo © Roland Kranitz | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Roland Kranitz

Caption: O Sole Mio

Animal: Spermophile

Location: Hungary


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Photo © Tim Hearn | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Tim Hearn

Caption: Faceplant

Animal: African Elephant

Location: Namibia


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Photo © Olin Rogers | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Olin Rogers

Caption: I’ve got you this time!

Animal: Lion cubs

Location: Hawange National Park, Zimbabwe


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Photo © Yarin Klein | Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2020

Photographer: Yarin Klein

Caption: We all have that friend

Animal: Brown Bears

Location: Kuril lake – Kamchatka


The overall and category winners will officially be announced next month, on October 22nd. In the meantime, head over to the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards website to see more animal photography outtakes, read up on the free contest, or vote for this year’s People’s Choice category.