Yoga bears, a scowling owl, and nature's best comedians of 2026

The BBC has picked its ten favourite finalists from this year's Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, and the cast is impeccable: a brown bear in Alaska apparently mid-morning-workout, bicycle kicks and all; a red squirrel in Germany caught red-handed with a mouthful far beyond its means; a mountain scops owl in China wearing an expression of magnificent disapproval; three meerkats in Namibia lined up like a family portrait; and a spadefish in the Philippines discovering, a moment too late, the whale shark behind it. The awards use laughter the way good teachers do — you come for the joke, and stay caring about the animals.