Wildlife photography isn’t just about capturing majestic eagles or graceful gazelles – sometimes, it means waiting for the perfect funny moment. Enter the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Their aim? To prove that just like us, wild animals can be goofy and brilliantly awkward! 

Megan Lorenz Owl Gopro 2015 10 08
Image: Megan Lorenz 

The contest will be judged by a star-studded panel of photographers, TV personalities and writers. "I often enter wildlife photography competitions, but I love seeing the funny pictures," says founder Paul Joynson-Hicks. "I am also hugely passionate about conserving our wild environments, which is why it's so important for us to make sure that when we are taking pictures we are also taking care of the creatures we are photographing."

Hicks and the rest of the CWPA team hope to use humour to make conservation messages more accessible, and have teamed up with international wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation (BFF).

"At Born Free, the stories we hear about wildlife are, all too often, filled with gloom and suffering,” says BFF's Will Travers. "It is wonderful – for a change – to consider the naturally humorous side of nature. Baby elephants playing; lion cubs pulling their father’s tail; wild chimpanzees enjoying a game of rough and tumble – I have seen them all and they never fail to bring a smile to my face." 

The winners should be announced soon, but in the meantime, we've rounded up some of our favourite entries!  

Renata Ewald Baboon Baby 2015 10 08
Image: Renata Ewald
Jeff Derx Cheetah Grass 2015 10 08
Image: Jeff Derx
Barrie Walsh Oxpecker 2015 10 08
Image: Barrie Walsh
Janet Miles Giraffe Necks 2015 10 08
Image: Janet Miles
Alison Buttigieg Lemur 2015 10 08
Image: Alison Buttigieg
Axel Kottal Hare Ears 2015 10 08
Image: Axel Kottal
Ashish Tyagi Otter 2105 10 08
Image: Ashish Tyagi
Stephen Biddlecombe Giraffe 2015 10 08
Image: Stephen Biddlecombe
Marc Mol 2 Cheetah 2015 10 08
Image: Marc Mol