The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have announced the finalists for 2018, narrowed down to just 41 from over 2000 quality entries. “The standard of imagery, regarding quality of the photography, goes up and up every year,” Tom Sullum, one of the founders of the awards, told Bored Panda. “The humor remains as brilliant each year, with new funny animals that we haven't seen represented before being featured.”

Anyone can enter the competition with their funny pictures, and Tom says that the wildlife photographers are a mix of around 30% professional and 70% amateur, which makes for a broader variety of animals photographed. The message that the organizers want to promote is one of wildlife conservation. “Our strong belief here at Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards is that the smallest thing can help conservation,” Tom explained. “By following Born Free on social media you have made one positive step. By supporting them financially, you make another big step. By sharing our posts, by buying the book, by keeping the conversation going... all these things help raise the issues of wild animal conservation.”

“In 20 years some researchers estimate that elephants may well be gone from East Africa. Lions would be the next to follow. It is pretty grim reading, so ultimately we think the smallest snowflake could help turn into the biggest snowball. We just need to create lots of snowflakes!”

The winners of the various categories, as well as the overall best picture winner, will be announced at the awards night at Foyles, in Charing Cross, London on November 15th. The overall winner is judged by an expert panel to have a mix of the best technical excellence, together with the most entertaining content and caption. Who do you think it will be? You can vote for your own favorite in the Affinity Photo People's Choice Award, all voters will be put in the hat to win an Ipad!

So scroll down below to have a few belly laughs at the cheeky animals, get voting, check out the new book and contribute to raising awareness about animal conservation! Or maybe you'll get inspired in photographing wildlife yourself!

More info: Website | Facebook | Born Free | Book | People's Choice Award

#1

Wildlife Photograbear

Wildlife Photograbear

Roie Galitz Report

#2

Caught In The Act

Caught In The Act

MARY MCGOWAN Report

#3

Happy

Happy

Muriel Vekemans Report

Denis
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"And then the hooman said: please don't eat me"

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#6

Mother Returned From Her Parents Meeting From School

Mother Returned From Her Parents Meeting From School

Valtteri Mulkahainen Report

#7

Have A Headache

Have A Headache

Maureen Toft Report

#8

The Black Skimmer Gang

The Black Skimmer Gang

Ke Qiang Ruan Report

#9

Hot Kiss

Hot Kiss

Sergey Savvi Report

Aaron Kara
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's an amazing photo! Love the different fin shapes

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#10

Drive Safe

Drive Safe

Jonathan Irish Report

#12

Crouching Tiger Peeking Moose

Crouching Tiger Peeking Moose

Jamie Bussey Report

Sarah
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

… Every breath you take - Every moose you make - Every bond you break...I'll be watching you.

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#14

Cheeky

Cheeky

Robert Adamson Report

#15

The People Are Back

The People Are Back

Patty Bauchman Report

Chris Pitch
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Winnie managed to get his head stuck in the honey pot again.

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#17

Bullies

Bullies

Amy Kennedy Report

#18

Tango

Tango

Michael Watts Report

Daria B
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Daaaaaancing bears, paaaaaaainted wings... Things I almost... remeeeeeeember... ♬♪

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#19

Astonished Lemur

Astonished Lemur

Jakob Strecker Report

#20

Flying Hyena

Flying Hyena

Kevin Rooney Report

Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think flying monkeys are bad Dorthy? Check this out.

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