Funniest wildlife photos of the year showcased in global competition: See the finalists

Time for a round of laughs with the finalists for the 2024 Comedy Wildlife Awards.

The shortlist announced Wednesday are “a cracking collection of amazing, jaw dropping and laugh out loud photos of some of the most incredible wildlife that we share this planet with” officials said in a statement. Shortlisted images and videos from the 2024 edition include a cheetah playing hide-and-seek behind a tree, bears hugging it out, a fish chasing an eagle across the sky and a tiny flying squirrel "bossing it like a Mafia Boss!"

The free competition is open to all wildlife photography novices, amateurs and professionals and celebrates the hilarity of our natural world.

"This shortlist of entries shows some of the most spectacular photos ever entered, catching wildlife’s funniest moments on camera," the competition said in their statement.

This year’s final shortlist of 40 standalone photographs, three videos and four portfolio entries were chosen from thousands of entries sent from 98 countries.

How to vote in the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

The public can get involved by voting for their favorite image in the Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award by heading to the competition's website and clicking on the people’s choice link. Voters have until Oct. 31 to make their choice and enter for a chance to win £500 (approx. $666).

Winners of the competition will be announced at an Awards Night in London on Dec. 10 with the top image winning a one-week safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya. The awards ceremony will be followed by a one-week exhibition from Dec. 10-16, showcasing all the 2024 Award Finalists at the Gallery@Oxo in London.

See hilarious animal photos from the 2024 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.