text: Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 capture the lighter side of nature | Daily Mail Online
  Who are you calling funny looking? Comedy wildlife awards capture the lighter side of nature
  The Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 are in full swing, with hundreds of photos submitted already
  The panel of judges comprises wildlife experts and household names, it includes comedian Hugh Dennis
  Austria's Julian Rad won the competition last year with his hilarious shot of a chubby-cheeked hamster
  Published: 07:22 EDT, 26 August 2016 | Updated: 05:03 EDT, 27 August 2016
  The Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016 are in full swing - with hundreds of hilarious photos being sent in from around the world.
  Among the best early entries this year are photos of a cheetah appearing to find something hilarious, a gorilla caught in an unfortunate position, and a baby elephant face-planting the ground.
  The panel of judges is comprised of wildlife experts and household names and includes comedian Hugh Dennis, wildlife TV presenter Kate Humble, African landscape photographer Tom Sullam, and wildlife photographer and Comedy Wildlife Awards founder Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE.
  Judge, Tom Sullam said: 'The essence of the competition is to raise awareness of the wildlife that we live with. Comedy is an essential part of our lives, and there are thousands of occasions when pets and wild animals alike behave in a funny manner.'
  Austria's Julian Rad won the competition last year with his memorable shot of a chubby-cheeked hamster running towards the camera.
  The deadline for entries is October 1, 2016, and the overall winner will receive a stunning photographic safari holiday consisting of seven nights in Kenya's Masai Mara. To be in with a chance to win you can enter the competition for free through the website www.comedywildlifephoto.com.
  What a hoot: This image by Edward Kopeschny shows one very content snowy owl in Ontario, Canada
  Mane attraction: Alexander Pfeiffer photographed this horse in Germany shaking its head using a high shutter speed
  These penguins clearly couldn't face being photographed by Charles Kinsey, so they hid their heads - completely
  A puffin has some fun on the Farne Islands, looking like it's been trained at the Ministry of Silly Walks
  It's supposed to be hyenas that laugh, but this cheetah in South Africa clearly hasn't read the rule book
  Three's the magic number: This cute family of squirrels, shot in Canada, are all lined up for an outing
  The one that got away: This pelican in Greece loses it composure completely when it drops its fish supper
  Tall guy: This giraffe at a watering hole in Botswana showed off its gurning skills to Monika Carrie
  This seal gave photographer Adam White a wave as it played in the water at Donna Nook in Lincolnshire
  Bringing up the rear: A playful lion cub follows its mother a bit too closely in this picture by Douglas Croft
  He's ready for his close up: This frog in Poland hops to it and poses for the camera
  He's behind you! These burrowing owls in Cape Coral, Florida, lined up perfectly on this low perch
  Life's most definitely a beach for this kangaroo in Lucky Bay, Australia, who is taking advantage of an unguarded parasol and towel
  A red squirrel seemingly praying for the heavy snow to stop in Canada - pictured by Isabelle Marozzo
  Taken to tusk: This Walrus in Norway looks like he's just realised that he's forgotten something
  This lion (left) in Kenya's Masai Mara reserve seems to have been burning the candle at both ends, while the mountain gorilla pictured in Rwanda on the right has been caught picking its nose
  Two adorable little monkeys share a smooch in Kenya. The panel of judges for the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards is comprised of wildlife experts and household names and includes comedian Hugh Dennis
  It's a moment he'll want to forget, if he can: A baby elephant face-plants the ground in Zimbabwe
  A young fox cub spots the camera from behind a tree in Dillenburg, Germany, and can't resist a grin
  Appetite for a funny look: This chipmunk in Ontario, Canada, has stuffed her cheeks so full of corn they look ready to pop
  Winging it in style: Four birds walking down the road like they own it in Tanzania. It's one of hundreds of pictures submitted to the award from around the world
  Inquisitive: This very curious bald eagle was snapped by Will Saunders in Cordova, Alaska
  Coo-ee! I'm up here! A harvest mouse appearing to be waving at the camera in Cheshire
  The odd couple: A frog and chipmunk were captured by Isabelle Marozzo sharing a romantic kiss in Canada
  Life's fin-tastic: This fish, snapped off Sal, Cape Verde, appears to be the happiest in the world
  Just putting on my pearls before I hit the town: A macro photograph of honey bee tentacles in New Zealand has caused a buzz
  This fish understandably doesn't look very happy at its predicament. The picture was taken by Chrys Mellor in East Yorkshire
  Chilling out: An adorable little monkey makes a snowball in Japan. The deadline for entries is October 1, 2016, and the overall winner will receive a stunning photographic safari holiday consisting of seven nights in Kenya's Masai Mara
  It's one thing having bad teeth, but his alpaca, photographed in Doncaster, is having a bad hair day, too