The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have unveiled 40 finalists for 2026, chosen from a record pool of more than 10,000 entries submitted from 112 countries.

The shortlist, announced October 1, includes a leopard that appears to be doing a handstand, a walrus with gangster attitude, a bear that looks like it is exercising, and a polar bear that seems deep in conversation with a seagull. Judges also selected nine video finalists, four portfolio finalists and three finalists in the junior category.

Now in its 11th year, the competition was founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam. It uses humor to build empathy for wildlife and raise conservation awareness.

"We use humor to get people to feel empathy towards wildlife, and it's that empathy that creates behavioral change for the better," Sullam said. This year the awards partner with the Born Free Foundation. Winners will be announced on December 8 at a ceremony in London, with a public People's Choice vote open until March 1. The top prize is a safari in Kenya's Masai Mara reserve.

Reporting based on: www.usatoday.com, www.smithsonianmag.com.