The 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards (CWA) announced its latest winners on April 24, in an annual showcase of funny, upbeat and positive images from around the world. The Overall Winner that tickled the judges most is above, “Stuck squirrel” by Italian Milko Marchetti.

Founded in 2015, CWA—motto “Conservation through Competition”—has grown into a global showcase that makes a meaningful contribution to the world of wildlife by attracting thousands of positive images snapped by amateurs and experts with a message of fun, conservation and this mission statement:

“Through the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, we aim to widen understanding and engagement of a sustainable world—and wildlife conservation specifically—for the preservation of biodiversity and the health and enrichment of everyone on Earth.”

Co-founder Paul Joynson-Hicks says: “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.”

CWA donates 10% of its revenue to the Whitley Fund for Nature which “supports conservation leaders working in their home countries across the Global South. For more than 30 years it has channelled £23 million to more than 220 conservationists in 80 countries.”

Celebrating Wildlife Through Humor and Public Engagement

The award categories include everything from “Creatures of the Land” to “Junior Awards,” showcasing that wildlife photography is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or professional background. The competition receives thousands of submissions annually, often highlighting quirky animal expressions, unusual interactions and surprise encounters that evoke a genuine smile.

What sets the Comedy Wildlife Awards apart is its emphasis on levity as a tool for awareness. In contrast to the often grim imagery associated with environmental destruction, the awards show the lighter side of nature. It encourages people to connect emotionally with wildlife in ways that might lead to deeper concern and action for conservation efforts.

The competition also includes a People’s Choice Award, allowing the public to vote for their favorite entry, helping to spread engagement and joy through social media. Past winners have included a photobombing turtle, a laughing seal and an owl caught mid-fall—proof that wildlife can be as silly as it is majestic.

By blending conservation messaging with humor and artistry, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards continue to grow as a global platform for education, entertainment and environmental impact.