The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020 competition is now in its 6th year and runs until 30 June. It was founded by two professional photographers who wanted to create a competition platform focusing on the lighter side of wildlife.
While the photos are all fun and games, the mission of this competition is to promote the conservation of wildlife and their habitats, through humorous and light-hearted imagery and a positive message.
Co-founders Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam formed a partnership with the Born Free Foundation to help ensure that this planet’s wildlife is there for the next generation.
Here are the best entries in the competition so far:
Credit: Alvin Tarkmees. Title: ‘Its too late Roebuck, too late.’
Credit: Anthony Bucci. Title: ‘Rough Night’
Credit: David DesRochers. Title: ‘Laughing sea otter’
Credit: Janet Miles. Title: ‘Doing the sand dance’
Credit: Joham Siggesson. Title: ‘Confused’
Credit: Tanvir Ali. Title: ‘Laughing stock’
Credit: Tommy Mees. Title: ‘Walk on water’
Credit: Yaron Schmid. Title: ‘Wowza!’
There are some amazing prizes to be won – with the top shot winning a once in a lifetime safari in the Maasai Mara in Kenya with Alex Walker’s Serian, a fabulous Z 6 Nikon and a NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lens courtesy of Nikon, the brilliant no–subscription professional photo editing software from Affinity Photo, a Camera bag from ThinkTank and the title of 2020 Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The hilariously funny entries will pass under the discerning eyes of an impressive judging panel, including wildlife TV presenter Kate Humble, actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, wildlife expert and co-founder of The Born Free Foundation Will Travers OBE, travel editor Oliver Smith, Ashley Hewson – Managing Director of Affinity Photo, Simon Pollock from ThinkTank, Celina Dunlop, the picture editor expert, Andrew Skirrow of Amazing Internet and Bella Lack, a 17-year-old trailblazer for animal conservation.
It is more important than ever before that we learn from this and make sure we do our best to conserve and look after this amazing planet of ours before it is too late.
What can you do to be a conservationist at home?
1. Shop responsibly
This is super easy for everyone to do. Try and buy local produce that is in season and produced sustainably if possible. Avoid un-recyclable products. Shops are getting better at offering alternatives to one use plastic, for example, but we need to support them.
2. Put a plant box on your windowsill
Put a plant box on your window sill, grow some flowers, and give the bees somewhere to go. We’ve all heard of the importance of bees, and this little nod towards their daily requirements is already a huge step in the right direction. Imagine if every windowsill had a flower box! It would be an absolute miracle, so let’s start that process!
3. Become a wild influencer
You heard it here first. This is a special person who may be not a mega activist, but really, really cares about the environment and what is happening, so you do a few very simple and easy things. For example, encourage your friends and family about some of the simple things we have mentioned above, talk about it in social media, on Zoom, on the phone. Find really awesome conservation organisations and engage with them on email, or social media. Email or write to your local government representative, maybe an MP, a House of Rep, a councillor and find out what they are doing to help the wildlife around the world. Hold your elected representatives accountable. You have a voice, we all do, use it and don’t be afraid! We can make a difference.
Picture: Joham Siggesson
