10 funny finalists from the 2019 comedy wildlife photography awards

Photographing animals in the wild is a challenge in itself, but capturing them during their funniest moments takes a whole new level of skill—and of course, a sense of humor. Now in its fifth year, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards recently announced the finalists for 2019, revealing 40 hilarious images from wildlife photographers around the world. The contest is run in collaboration with The Born Free Foundation, a charity that helps to “Keep Wildlife in the Wild.”

Founded by Tom Sullam and Paul Joynson-Hicks—both professional photographers and passionate conservationists—the annual competition aims to highlight the importance of wildlife conservation by showcasing the world’s amazing wildlife in a lighthearted, positive way. This year’s top finalists include a shocked otter by Harry Walker, a waving damselfly by Kevin Sawford, and a chilled-out chimp by Thomas Mangelsen.

Although these images are sure to make you giggle, there’s a serious side to the competition. This year, the contest is going the extra mile to protect our species by providing tips on how to be a “conservationist at home.” From shopping responsibly (e.g. avoiding products containing palm oil) to restricting water usage, these ideas can help towards saving endangered animals in the wild. “Our planet is in distress, we all know that, now we just need to know what to do,” say Sullam and Joynson-Hicks. “Hopefully, we can provide a few small tips to get people started.”

The winners will be announced on November 13, 2019. The Overall Winner will be awarded an incredible one-week safari with Alex Walker’s Serian in the Masai Mara, Kenya as well as a unique handmade trophy from the Art Garage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Scroll down to check out this year’s silly snapshots and find out more about the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards competition online.