Get ready for a chuckle! This year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards crowned an unlikely champion: a squirrel seemingly stuck mid-getaway into a tree hollow. The winning photograph, captured by Italian photographer Milko Marchetti, beat out nearly 9,000 other entries to claim the top spot in this globally renowned competition.
the annual competition, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, has become a beloved tradition, attracting photographers and wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. This year’s record-breaking number of submissions underscores the contest’s growing popularity. The judges faced a tough decision, selecting the top 45 photos before ultimately choosing the winning image.
“As always, the competition was very tough and there were only a few points of difference between the five best pictures, but the squirrel had no competition,” the judges commented, highlighting the remarkable humor of Marchetti’s winning shot.
Marchetti, a seasoned nature photographer, shared his inspiration behind the winning image. “Over that time I’ve taken a lot of pictures of squirrels in different situations, but I found this one really funny. This is the exact moment when the hind legs leave the log and the squirrel goes to its hiding place. When I showed this picture at our photo club meetings, the audience always laughed out loud, so I just had to submit it to the competition,” he explained.
His prize? A once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, along with other exciting awards. The competition, founded by photographers and conservationists Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom sullam, aims to not only entertain but also raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation. Their goal is to “create something that would attract people, entertain them and make them think about the need to protect wildlife.”
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards serves as a delightful reminder that even amidst the serious challenges facing wildlife, there’s always room for a good laugh – and a powerful message about the need to protect our planet’s incredible creatures.
A Chat with a Wildlife Photography expert
World Today News senior Editor: Welcome back to The World Today News, everyone! Today we have a very special guest joining us, Dr.Anya Sharma, a renowned wildlife photographer and expert on animal behavior. Dr. Sharma, thank you so much for being here.
Dr.Sharma: Its my pleasure to be here! Thank you for having me.
Senior Editor: Your expertise makes you uniquely qualified to comment on the recent winner of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. A squirrel seemingly stuck in a tree hollow took the top prize this year [[1]]. What are your thoughts on using humor to highlight wildlife conservation?
dr. Sharma: I think it’s brilliant! For years, we’ve relied on stark imagery of endangered species, habitat loss, and climate change to get people’s attention. while significant, thes images can be overwhelming and often lead to feelings of hopelessness. Humor, on the other hand, can be incredibly effective in disarming people and making them more receptive to the message.
Laughter allows us to connect with these animals on a more human level. It reminds us that they are not just statistics or distant creatures – they are living beings capable of funny, relatable moments. This can foster empathy and a desire to protect them.
Senior Editor: That’s a truly insightful viewpoint. The winning photo certainly made me laugh! Do you think competitions like the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards can play a significant role in conservation efforts?
Dr. Sharma: Absolutely! competitions like this raise awareness on a global scale, reaching millions of people across social media and news outlets. They generate positive buzz around wildlife,encourage people to learn more about different species,and ultimately inspire action. The fact that they are also fundraising for conservation organizations like [mention benefiting organizations from the article if available,otherwise say “various wildlife conservation initiatives”] further amplifies their impact.
