Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019: Shocked otters, kissing squirrels, farting penguins

Roll up, Roll up! The funniest animal pictures for 2019 have been named in the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Winners include a farting penguin and a young lioness jumping at testicles.

Photographer Sarah Skinner’s picture, titled Grab Life By The …, has trumped the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards as the funniest entry submitted for 2019. Picture: Sarah Skinner

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The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards results are in and a testicle-grabbing lioness cub, innocently playing with an older male, has topped the charts as the funniest picture entered.

The image, titled Grab Life By The …, was captured and submitted by photographer Sarah Skinner, who received the title of Overall Winner for 2019.

The UK photographer was among 40 finalists vying for the top position with their quirky entries, also including arguing bee-eaters, a surfing penguin and projectile peeing rhinoceros onto a bystanding bird.

They were selected from 4000 entries globally, submitted from 68 different countries.

Winners were selected by a panel of judges made up of photographic experts, leaders in the field of conservation and TV personalities with an interest in conservation.

Photographer Tilakra Nagaraj’s entry, titled Warning! Territory marking, follow at your own risk. It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners. Picture: Tilakra Nagaraj

Photographer Tom Mangelsen’s entry, titled Laid Back Chimp! He was recognised as a Highly Commended Winners. Picture: Tom Mangelsen

Photographer Roie Galitz’s entry, titled Space Man. It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners. Picture Roie Galitz.

The annual competition, which started in 2015, aims to showcase the natural wonders – and quirks – of animals around the world, while highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation.

Skinner, whose took the image in Botswana and also won the Creatures of the Land Award, said it warmed her heart to know the picture was spreading laughter and happiness worldwide.

Photographer Mike Rowe’s entry, titled Deer – What Deer. It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners. Picture: Mike Rowe

Photographer Martina Gebert’s entry, titled Dancing … Yeah! It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners. Picture: Martina Gebert

Photographer Vlado Pirsa’s entry, titled Family Disagreement. It was awarded the Spectrum Photo Creatures In The Air Award. Picture: Vlado Pirsa

Photographer Elmar Weiss’ entry, titled Surfing South Atlantic Style. It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners. Picture: Elmar Weiss

“I am happy to report that this lioness continues to thrive in the pride, having seen her again in October this year,” she said.

“I only hope and encourage everyone, as a collective, to each do our part in the conservation of all wildlife species, so that future generations can enjoy them, in the same way that I have done during my career as a wildlife photographer.”

Photographer Eric Keller’s entry, titled Inconspicuous. It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners. Picture: Eric Keller

Photographer Elaine Kruer’s entry, titled The First Kiss. It received the Amazing Internet Portfolio Award. Picture: Elaine Kruer

Photographer Alastair Marsh’s entry, titled Waltz Gone Wrong! It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners. Picture: Alastair Marsh

Photographer Corey Seeman’s entry, titled Who Would Like A Peanut? It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners. Picture: Corey Seeman

Photographer Harry Walker walked away from this year’s competition with two awards, the Olympus Creatures Under The Water Award and Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award, for his image of shocked sea otter, titled Oh My!

Photographer Harry Walker’s entry, titled Oh My! It received two awards, the Olympus Creatures Under The Water Award and Affinity Photo People's Choice Award. Picture: Harry Walker

Photographer Tom Mangelsen’s entry, titled Chest Bump. It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners section. Picture: Tom Mangelsen

The Spectrum Photo Creatures In The Air Award and Amazing Internet Portfolio Award went to Vlado-Pirsa and Elane Kruer respectively for their images Family Disagreement and First Comes Love … Then Comes Marriage.

In addition to the category winners, 12 entries were recognised as Highly Commended Winners.

Photographer Geert Weggen’s entry, titled Squirrel Wishes. It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners section. Picture: Geert Weggen

Photographer Txema Garcia’s entry, titled To Be Or Not To Be. It was recognised in the Highly Commended Winners section. Picture: Txema Garcia

Photographer Elaine Kruer’s entry, titled Bringing Flowers. It received the Amazing Internet Portfolio Award. Picture: Elaine Kruer

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Originally published as Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019: Shocked otters, kissing squirrels, farting penguins