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Comedy wildlife photo awards shortlist revealed
From a kangaroo playing air guitar to a squabble between feathered friends.

The thousands of entries for this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been whittled down to a shortlist of the best photos and videos.

Forty-one standalone photographs are shortlisted, along with three videos and three portfolios. They will be judged by a panel which includes TV presenter Kate Humble, comedian Hugh Dennis, and the co-founder of the Born Free Foundation Will Travers.

The public can also vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award. The winners will be announced on 23 November.

We’ve picked six of our favourites from the shortlist.

(C) Otter Kwek/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Otter Ballerina

This snap of a smooth-coated otter was taken by the appropriately-named Otter Kwek in Singapore.
 
Mr Kwek said: “I showed this photo to a ballet teacher, and she commented that the otter is a natural but just needs to tuck in its tummy a bit.”

(C) Dikla Gabriely/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Picture me! Picture me!

This brown bear from Finland was very keen to attract the attention of photographer Dikla Gabriely.

(C) John Blumenkamp/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Monday Blahs

John Blumenkamp, who took this snap in the Grand Teton National Park, USA, said: “This great grey owl spent most of the afternoon posing majestically and looking, well, wise. But for a moment or two after doing some elegant stretching, he/she would slump and give a look of 'Is Monday over yet?'” 

(C) Jason Moore/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Air Guitar Roo

Spotted by Jason Moore as he was driving in Australia, this grey kangaroo is very much enjoying playing air guitar. Perhaps he's pretending to be a member of legendary Aussie rockers AC/DC.

(C) Jacek Stankiewicz/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Dispute

These goldfinches, photographed by Jacek Stankiewicz in a Polish forest, are clearly not getting along.
 
Mr Stankiewicz said: “My friends interpret this scene in two ways. 1. A young naughty kid is arguing with a parent. 2. One kid is reporting to the parent that its brother did something wrong: look he has broken the glass in the window.”

(C) Adrian Slazok/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Everyone Can Fly

Snapped on the east coast of England in late autumn, Adrian Slazok's photograph shows a grey seal taking off from the beach.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.