The world's funniest wildlife photos are back — yoga bears, a rude orangutan and a scowling owl

The 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have revealed their finalists, whittled from a record of more than 10,000 entries from photographers in 112 countries. The shortlist features a female brown bear appearing to do morning bicycle kicks in Alaska, a 'rather rude' orangutan, a scowling owl, a red squirrel caught red-handed with more food than its cheeks can handle, and a praying mantis that looks like it's posing for a portrait. Public voting for the People's Choice award is open now; winners are announced at a London awards night on December 8. Ten percent of the competition's profits go to the Born Free Foundation.