Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards announced the winners of the 2025 edition at a ceremony held at Londres on December 10th at 7pm local time. The event highlighted images that capture unexpected wildlife moments, promoting awareness of environmental conservation through humor. Fotógrafos from different countries sent thousands of entries, and the jury selected the most original ones.
Mark Meth-Cohn, photographer for Reino Unido, took the top prize with a photo showing a young gorilla in an acrobatic pose. The image was taken at Montanhas Virunga, at Ruanda, during a four-day expedition. The animal appears in a forest clearing, while the family group forages around.
The contest, which has been running since 2015, received submissions from more than 80 nations this year. Organizers emphasized the importance of highlighting natural animal behaviors to engage the public in protecting endangered species. Entre the winners, there are specific categories for birds, aquatic animals and young photographers.
Overall winner highlights gorilla play
The winning photo captures the gorilla in a movement reminiscent of a high five or a dance, with one leg raised and an expressive facial expression. Meth-Cohn spent hours tracking down the Amahoro group, known for its tight-knit family structure. Essa image not only entertains, but also illustrates the typical playful behavior of young gorillas, essential for their social development.
Other finalists in the mammals category included scenes of lions and baboons in everyday interactions. The jury evaluated criteria such as perfect timing and originality, ensuring that the photos reflect authentic moments in nature. The main prize includes photographic equipment and a donation for conservation projects.
Specific categories reward animal diversity
Warren Price, also from Reino Unido, won in the bird category with an image of guillemots in a territorial dispute. The birds, nestled in rocky cliffs, show a scene where one has its head stuck in the other’s beak. Essa photo highlights the instinct to defend territory in dense colonies, common in marine species.
Jenny Stock, another Brit, took the prize for aquatic animals with a photo of a small fish emerging from a hole in the coral. The animal, measuring around eight centimeters, displays an expression that resembles a smile, captured at a depth of ten meters in Filipinas. The image highlights underwater biodiversity and defense mechanisms, such as poison injection.
Grayson Bell, from Estados Unidos, won in the junior and reptiles, amphibians and insects category with a photo depicting an unusual interaction between animals. The young photographer, under 16, demonstrated his ability to capture fleeting moments. Paula Rustemeier, from Alemanha, won among photographers under 25 with foxes in a game that simulates a dance battle.
Maggie Hoffman, from the USA, won the portfolio prize with a series of images of a young chimpanzee in Gombe National Park, in The photos show sequences of natural behavior, adding humor to scientific observation.
Behind the scenes of the prize-winning catches
Photographers reported challenges such as adverse weather conditions and long waits for the ideal moment. For example, in one of the highly recommended photos, a sea eagle from Steller appears in a hole in the snow in Japão, during the local winter. The species, vulnerable with less than five thousand individuals, gathers to fish on floating ice.
Another recommended image shows lions yawning in sync at Masai Mara, Quênia. The timing captured a rare moment, reinforcing the importance of patience in wildlife photography. Baboons in circular games in Hwange National Park, in Zimbábue, were photographed during the rainy season, when nature gains vitality.
A photo of a gannet fighting the wind at Bempton Cliffs, at Inglaterra, illustrates the difficulties of seabirds in collecting nest material. The strong wind ruffled the grass over the bird’s eyes, creating a comical effect. Esses reports highlight the effort behind each click.
A crowned sifaka at Nosy Komba, Madagascar, was captured in a pose reminiscent of a snack gesture. The endemic species faces habitat threats, and the photo helps draw attention to its preservation.
Environmental impact of winning images
The winning photos often involve endangered species, such as mountain gorillas in Ruanda, where conservation programs protect remaining populations. The competition allocates part of the resources to initiatives that combat illegal hunting and habitat loss. Fotógrafos like Meth-Cohn highlight how humor can engage more people in the environmental cause.
In categories such as aquatic, the images warn about the health of corals, affected by climate change. Stock’s smiling fish serves as a reminder of the rich marine life that needs protection. The jury included conservation experts, ensuring the award aligns entertainment with educational messages.
Young talents and innovative portfolios
Rustemeier observed foxes in a nature reserve for months, capturing their daytime social behavior due to low hunting pressure. The photo shows the foxes on a sandy dune, in poses that evoke urban dance. Essa documentary approach emphasizes the importance of prolonged studies to understand animal patterns.
Hoffman, in the winning portfolio, focused on chimpanzees exhibiting peculiar hygienic habits. The sequences were taken in a natural environment, without interference, revealing traits shared with humans. The award recognizes thematic consistency, encouraging photographers to explore series rather than isolated photos.
Bell, the junior winner, combined categories by capturing a scene involving amphibians. Seu work inspires new generations to get involved with nature photography from an early age. The competition offers mentoring to young people, nurturing global talent.
Recommended photos expand the reach of the contest
Among the highly recommended ones, an image of cubs chasing mothers at Serengeti, Tanzânia, reflects tensions during the dry season. The puppies alternated between nursing and playing, creating organized chaos. Essa photo, taken in September 2024, illustrates pack dynamics in arid environments.
A gray squirrel with a wet tail covering its head, in a park in Victoria, Canadá, was captured while its mother was relocating cubs. The dewy grass added the comical element. Outra shows a red-throated grebe landing in the snow in Finlândia, highlighting adaptations to unexpected cold.
A rhino emerging from the water with aquatic plants as a “wig” and “gossip” cub leopards expand the variety. Essas images, displayed online, attract millions of views annually.
Conservation through humor
The contest integrates fun with alerts about biodiversity. Espécies and the sea eagle of Steller, protected in Japão as a national treasure, gain visibility. With females weighing up to 9.5 kg and a wingspan of 2.5 meters, they face population decline.
Photos of flamingos and black woodpeckers add levity but underscore fragile ecosystems. Organizers plan traveling exhibitions for 2026, expanding the educational impact.
People’s Choice Award, open until March 1, 2026, allows the public to vote for finalists. Essa interaction increases global engagement with environmental issues.
Awards details and future
Winners receive prizes of Nikon equipment and photo safaris. The 2025 event attracted more entries than the previous one, reflecting growth. Júris include renowned photographers and conservationists.
For 2026, the competition opens registrations in April, encouraging ethical captures without disturbing animals. Essa emphasis on animal welfare differentiates the award from others.
