Stuck in a rut? Let the hilarious Comedy Wildlife 2024 winners bring you laughter

The winners of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are here! Like every year, they remind us that the animal kingdom sometimes has a wicked sense of humor, and so do photographers. This year, Italian photographer Milko Marchetti was crowned Overall Winner for his hilarious and perfectly-timed shot titled Stuck Squirrel. But like every year, there are plenty more hilarious images to make your day, so let’s jump right in… Just like this squirrel.

Featuring a red squirrel caught in an awkward mid-leap pose, legs at a comical right angle as it dove into its hide, the image had both judges and audiences laughing out loud. “I have taken many, many photographs of squirrels, in many situations over the years in Italy, but this one struck me as really funny and such a strange position, because it is that exact moment when the squirrel is detaching its back legs from the trunk to enter its hide,” Milko shares. “Whenever I show this image at the nature seminars at my local photography club, the audience always explode with raucous laughter, so I had to enter it!” And not only did his image took the overall win, but also won first place in the Mammals category.

Milko’s squirrel triumphs in a competition that received over 9,000 entries this year—a record in the Awards’ ten-year history. And the prize? A bucket-list safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara with Alex Walker’s Serian, a custom-made trophy from the Wonder Workshop in Tanzania, and a Think Tank camera bag.

Stefan Maier from Nikon Europe, the contest sponsor, summed up the contest’s magic:

 “We are thrilled to celebrate Milko Marchetti’s outstanding achievement in the Nikon Comedy Photography Awards 2024. His image, ‘Stuck Squirrel,’ brilliantly captures the playful and unpredictable moments that make nature so enchanting. This year’s competition received a record number of entries, each one a testament to the power of photography in evoking emotion. We look forward to continuing to inspire the next generation of wildlife photographers through these wonderful awards.“

Category winners and rising stars

The competition also celebrated several category winners who brought their own splash of comedy and charm. The Nikon Young Photographer Award went to Kingston Tam of Australia, for a delightful shot of a frog smiling cheekily at the camera.

Ten-year-old Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb became the youngest-ever category winner with his Rock Star Squirrel portfolio. Yes, squirrels seem to own the comedy throne this year.

A mission beyond laughter

Founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards isn’t just about fun. It also promotes conservation, partnering this year with the Whitley Fund for Nature to raise awareness and funds for protecting habitats. “These awards make us laugh, yes, but they also remind us of the need to preserve the beauty—and humor—of the natural world,” said co-founder Tom Sullam.

The finalists and winning entries are on display at the Gallery@Oxo in London until December 15. It’s a must-see exhibition guaranteed to make you smile and marvel at nature’s funny side. It will show you that wildlife photography doesn’t always have to be serious. Sometimes, it’s best when it’s squirrelly!

Enjoy more category winners and highly commended photos below, and make sure to visit the contest’s website to browse the gallery and learn about the competition’s conservation efforts.

Category winners

Highly commended

---