Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021 finalists revealed

The 42 finalists in this year's Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced, each one showing anthropomorphic expressions from the animal kingdom.

Martina Novotna A grey seal looking as though it is laughingMartina Novotna
Mr Giggles, a grey seal by Martina Novotna, taken in Ravenscar, UK

A seal that appears to be giggling, a baboon that looks like it's singing and a very angry starling - this year's finalists show animals in comedy moments snapped by photographers from around the world.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards were founded by Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, both professional photographers and passionate conservationists.

In addition to providing some light-hearted relief, the competition aims to highlight the important message of wildlife conservation in an engaging and positive way, working with competition partner Save Wild Orangutans.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 22 October.

In the meantime, here are a few finalists' entries that might make you smile.

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Monday morning mood, by Andrew Mayes, taken in Rietvlei, South Africa

Andrew Mayes A pied starlingAndrew Mayes
A pied starling
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Let's dance, by Andy Parkinson, taken in Kamchatka Peninsula, Far East Russia

Andy Parkinson Two brown bear cubs playing togetherAndy Parkinson
Brown bears
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Shush! I'm so hungover it hurts, by Anita Ross, taken in San Bernardino County, California, USA

Anita Ross A burrowing owlAnita Ross
A burrowing owl
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Foot jam, by Brook Burling, taken in Wisconsin, USA

Brook Burling A raccoon with one foot sticking out of a treeBrook Burling
A raccoon
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Time for school, by Chee Kee Teo, taken in Singapore

Chee Kee Teo A smooth-coated otter parent carrying offspring in its mouthChee Kee Teo
Smooth-coated otters
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See who jumps high, by Chu han lin, taken in Taiwan

Chu han lin MudskippersChu han lin
Mudskippers
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The baboon who feels like a tenor, by Clemence Guinard, taken in Saudi Arabia

Clemence Guinard A hamadryas baboon with its mouth wide openClemence Guinard
A hamadryas baboon
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Fluff, by Edwin Smits, taken in Groenlanden, Ooij, the Netherlands

Edwin Smits A Konik horseEdwin Smits
A Konik horse
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Dancing away to glory, by Sarosh Lodhi, taken in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, India

Sarosh Lodhi LangursSarosh Lodhi
Langurs
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Smoked deer for dinner, by Siddhant Agrawal, taken in Jim Corbett National Park, India

Siddhant Agrawal  A tigerSiddhant Agrawal
A tiger
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Draw me like one of your French bears, by Wenona Suydam, taken in Kodiak, Alaska, USA

Wenona Suydam A brown bearWenona Suydam
A brown bear

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