The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have announced the finalists for 2018, narrowed down to just 41 from over 2000 quality entries. “The standard of imagery, regarding quality of the photography, goes up and up every year,” Tom Sullum, one of the founders of the awards, told Bored Panda. “The humor remains as brilliant each year, with new funny animals that we haven't seen represented before being featured.”

Anyone can enter the competition with their funny pictures, and Tom says that the wildlife photographers are a mix of around 30% professional and 70% amateur, which makes for a broader variety of animals photographed. The message that the organizers want to promote is one of wildlife conservation. “Our strong belief here at Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards is that the smallest thing can help conservation,” Tom explained. “By following Born Free on social media you have made one positive step. By supporting them financially, you make another big step. By sharing our posts, by buying the book, by keeping the conversation going... all these things help raise the issues of wild animal conservation.”

“In 20 years some researchers estimate that elephants may well be gone from East Africa. Lions would be the next to follow. It is pretty grim reading, so ultimately we think the smallest snowflake could help turn into the biggest snowball. We just need to create lots of snowflakes!”

The winners of the various categories, as well as the overall best picture winner, will be announced at the awards night at Foyles, in Charing Cross, London on November 15th. The overall winner is judged by an expert panel to have a mix of the best technical excellence, together with the most entertaining content and caption. Who do you think it will be? You can vote for your own favorite in the Affinity Photo People's Choice Award, all voters will be put in the hat to win an Ipad!

So scroll down below to have a few belly laughs at the cheeky animals, get voting, check out the new book and contribute to raising awareness about animal conservation! Or maybe you'll get inspired in photographing wildlife yourself!

More info: Website | Facebook | Born Free | Book | People's Choice Award