41 Of The Best Entries Into The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards (2023 Edition)

Photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam founded the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards all the way back in 2015 in order to show the lighter side of wildlife photography while also promoting conservation. And in fact, comedy and conservation lie at the core of the competition.

This year’s shortlist includes 41 standalone photographs, 3 videos, and 3 Portfolio entries. They’ve been selected from a massive number of entries, sent in by amateur and professional photographers alike from all over the world.

Michelle Wood, a member of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards team, revealed to Bored Panda that a jaw-dropping number of people entered the contest this year.

She shared with us that “just under 2,000 entrants” took part in the contest in 2023. The team had the monumental task of choosing the crème de la crème from all the hilarious photos and videos.

The contest doesn’t take conservation lightly. Every year, the contest supports a sustainable conservation organization. This year, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards team is working together with the Whitley Fund for Nature, a UK charity that supports conservation leaders working in their home countries across the Global South.

The charity, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, has channeled £20 million ($24.3 million or €23.1 million) to 200 conservationists in 80 countries.

Over the next few weeks, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards’ panel of judges will be working tirelessly to whittle down the finalists and make the shortlist, well, even shorter than it already is. The winners of the competition will be announced on November 23.

The overall top image will win a handmade trophy from the Art Garage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, alongside a stunning one-week safari with Alex Walker's Serian in the Masai Mara, Kenya.

Meanwhile, voting is also open for the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Affinity Photo. So if you have a favorite photo, be sure to drop by the competition’s website and cast your vote. It's a wonderful way to have your voice heard. The cherry on top is that you’ll enter a free prize draw and have the chance of winning £500.

According to the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards team, this year’s panel of judges includes: TV presenter Kate Humble; actor and comedian Hugh Dennis; world renowned wildlife photographers Daisy Gilardini and Will Burrard-Lucas; wildlife expert and co-founder of The Born Free Foundation Will Travers OBE; Ashley Hewson, the Managing Director of Serif, makers of Affinity Photo; Celina Dunlop, picture editor extraordinaire; underwater film and diving aficionado Luke Inman and Bella Lack, a super young passionate conservationist.