Comedy Wildlife 2026 Finalists Are Here, and They Include a Caiman in a Wig. Yes, you Read that Right

There are a handful of things I can count on to reliably improve my day, and the annual Comedy Wildlife announcement is definitely on that list. Every October, this contest delivers a fresh batch of images that remind you the natural world is absolutely unhinged. Thankfully, some photographers are in exactly the right place at the right time to prove it.

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have revealed their 2026 finalists, and the shortlist does not disappoint. This year’s collection includes 40 individual finalists, 4 portfolio entries, 9 video finalists, and three under-16 entries from young photographers. Among the highlights is a caiman wearing what appears to be an Elvis-style wig, a photo that made me laugh out loud. There’s at least one like that every year, and thankfully, I wasn’t sipping coffee while looking through the photos (a lesson I learned the hard way).

The competition also hit a milestone this year, pulling in more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries – the highest number in its history. That’s a lot of people out in the field waiting patiently for the perfect moment to capture!

More than Just Laughs

Conservation is at the heart of Comedy Wildlife since Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam co-founded it in 2015. This year’s conservation partner is the Born Free Foundation, which works to rescue wild animals from exploitation and protect threatened species and their habitats.

Co-founder of the contest, Tom Sullam put it well:

“The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards started very gently, somewhere out on the vast plains of the Serengeti. What began as a small effort to raise awareness of wildlife conservation has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined. The competition is now truly global, and a decade or so on, we want to make it even bigger, funnier, and more far-reaching than ever. We use humour to get people to feel empathy towards wildlife, and it’s that empathy that creates behavioural change for the better.”

For the winner, the top prize is a safari with Alex Walker’s Serian in the Masai Mara – a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Camera prizes include a Nikon Z6III, Z50II, and the brand-new Nikon ZR, plus kit from ThinkTANK.

People’s Choice and More Info

The People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Sterna, is now open for public voting on the contest website and runs through March 1, 2027. A randomly selected voter will also walk away with £500 – so there’s something in it for you beyond the pure joy of voting for a caiman in a wig.

Winners will be announced at an awards night in London on December 8th. That’s followed by a free public exhibition from December 9–13 at the Gallery@Oxo, where you can see all the finalists in person. There’s also an immersive exhibition running at Frameless in London through January 2027 if you want more. If you’re in London, you know what to do!

And if you aren’t… Enjoy the selection of finalists below and make sure not to drink anything while scrolling through photos. You’ll find the full gallery on the contest website – and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.

Nikon Comedy Wildlife 2026 Finalists

Individual images

Portfolio category

Under 16

Video

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