The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards were co-founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam. They wanted to create a competition that focused on a lighter take on wildlife photography, while promoting the protection of wildlife and habitats through humour. This year the competition is being run in partnership with UK conservation charity the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), which supports leading conservationists in their home countries in the Global South. Over the last 30 years, £20 million has been awarded to more than 200 conservationists in 90 countries, and this competition will help shine a light on the important work they do.

This year, Nikon Creators Cameron Whitnall, Lara Jackson and Roxy Furman are part of a diverse panel of judges reviewing the shortlist. They will judge the entries alongside a range of experts including TV presenter Kate Humble, actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, world-renowned wildlife photographers Daisy Gilardini and Will Burrard-Lucas and Will Travers OBE of the Born Free Foundation. The team is completed by Managing Director of Affinity Photo, Ashley Hewson and Photo Editor of The Economist, Celina Dunlop.

Stefan Maier, Nikon Europe Senior General Manager Marketing commented: “It is a pleasure to be working with the team at Comedy Wildlife - fantastic partners who share our commitment to raising awareness of conservation through the power of photography. There are just under 3 weeks left to enter the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards and we look forward to the many funny entries we will receive this month.”

As always, the competition is open to the public and entry is free. The entrant of the winning image will receive an invitation to a once-in-a-lifetime safari to the Maasai Mara in Kenya with Alex Walker's Serian, as well as a handmade trophy from The Wonder Workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The main prize in the Junior category is a Nikon Z30 camera, and in the Young Photographer category this is a Nikon Z8 kit and an iPad with the latest Affinity Photo editing software. All category winners will receive a camera bag from ThinkTank.

The competition categories include

• Alex Walker’s Serian Mammals Category
• Spectrum Photo Birds Category
• ThinkTank Reptiles and Amphibians Category
• Fish and other Aquatic Species
• Insects Category
• Nikon Young Photographer (entrants up to 25 years old)
• Nikon Junior Category (entrants up to 16 years old)
• Amazing Internet Portfolio Category
• Video Category
• Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award (public vote after finalists are announced)

The closing date for entries is 31 July, the shortlist will be announced in September and the winner in November.