Nikon has announced the winner of their National Comedy Wildlife competition, which celebrates the unusual yet memorable moments of nature. The competition builds a joyous approach to connecting humans with nature in the face of the climate crisis, with the tagline of “Conservation through Competition”.
Milko Marchetti won this year’s competition with their smile-inducing image of a red squirrel in a sticky situation, titled “Stuck Squirrel”.
Paul Joynson-Hicks set up the competition in 2015. It now draws global media coverage and receives thousands of images every year. A range of categories is available for entry, open to all photographers using any gear from beginner to pro.
The images embrace the joy, humour, and hilarity of the natural world. However, there is a bittersweet touch – the images collected bring us a smile but also reveal all that we have to lose if we don’t change our approach to targeting climate change.
The Importance of Conservation
Conservation is key to the survival of our natural world. With rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather posing daily threats to both human and natural communities internationally, there is nothing more important than protecting the natural world, which we stand to lose so easily. Our terrifying reality is one with extremely decreased levels of biodiversity, rapidly shrinking true wilderness, and brutal deforestation and habitat destruction.
In this harsh time, it is a breath of fresh air to see images connecting us with animals without the dread and anxiety that come with every struggling orangutan. Nikon’s National Comedy Wildlife competition reveals nature in a way that transcends language – funny animals need no explanation.
Nikon’s competition webpage explains the importance of empathy in the fight for climate justice: the images play on human’s “impulse for anthropomorphism”, triggering a natural empathetic response to the creatures with whom we share our planet.
Paul Joynson-Hicks, Comedy Wildlife co-founder, states on the website:
“Our world is extraordinarily beautiful and interconnected, yet the human race is doing its best to over-exploit and damage it. Issues of wildlife conservation and sustainability are gaining momentum globally, yet the messages and images tend to be negative, depressing and enervating.”
His message reflects the need for joy, and the urge to find appreciation in the world we stand to lose. The quote reflects the rarity and importance of the Comedy Wildlife Awards to show the unseen fun that can be brought by wildlife, to assist in their protection and to gain more momentum for conservation movements.
With that note, see below some of Brig’s favourite photographs from this year’s competition. Consider the empathy created from the images alongside the joy. Additionally, make sure to read the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards page for more information on their fun and moving competition.
Photos from the Competition
To conclude, you can read more of Brig’s nature-related writing here.
Featured Image Credit: Milko Marchetti via Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Journalism student at the University of Stirling & BRAW Magazine editor 24/25 and 25/26 🙂
You can see my portfolio here: https://www.clippings.me/alicepollard
