From a racoon whispering a very important secret to its mum, to three polar bears enjoying a judo bout, the most hilarious wildlife pictures of the year have been revealed.
The prizewinners of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2024 will be announced on December 10, but until then you can marvel at the once-in-a-lifetime shots captured by amateur and professional photographers around the world.
There are no rules about what kind of equipment is required - pics from camera phones are allowed - the only prerequisite is that they make people giggle.
A number of awards will presented at the yet-to-be-announced ceremony, for pictures featuring mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish and other aquatic species, and insects.
There’s also a portfolio prize for the best four pictures taken by a single photographer, a junior category (under 16s) and a young photographer award (for under 25s).
And at the end of it all the Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year will receive a trophy and a one week safari for two people in Kenya.
Here are your finalists. Which one make you laugh the most?
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5. 'Alright mate back off - this is my bird!' by Andy Rouse (UK)
This image was taken in South Georgia, it really does show a male king penguin trying to make a move on a female who has already paired up with her male. The body position and wing posture make the message clear - "back off!". It was taken in South Georgia. | The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2024/Andy Rouse
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6. 'England Cricket's latest secret weapon!' by Andy Rouse (UK)
I took this photo of a dancing sifaka in Madagascar; as it ran towards us, it created all sorts of funny shapes. But this one was the best, it looks to me like it is practising its bowling action ready for an England call-up! The picture was taken in Madagascar. | The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards/Andy Rouse

7. 'I'm too sexy for my love' by Artur Stankiewicz (Poland)
One of the 'lazy' mornings we have decided to stop by the pool with hippos while in Mana Pools NP, Zimbabwe. My idea was to try and catch fighting hippos, yet, they all were quite peaceful. I have positioned on the bank, safely from the potential charge and waited. Some of them raised their heads in curiosity or when proximity to the other individuals was too close. Then I got this idea to catch the portrait with water plants decorating the head, It looked like the guy just got our of the hairdresser with a big smile on his face :) | The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2024/Artur Stankiewicz

8. 'The Contemplative Chimpanzee' by Arvind Mohandas (Germany)
Shot in the jungles of Uganda, following a group of around 50 chimpanzees. This one was obviously comtemplating an important issue, on a day of realization and reaffirmation of how close chimpanzees are to humans! The photo was taken in Uganda. | The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2024/Arvind Mohandas
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