Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2022: This year's finalists

Take a look at this year's finalists in the photo gallery above.

A galloping, farting zebra, a 'headless' penguin and a rushing owl fledgling are just three of the finalists announced in the annual Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

Thousands of images were considered this year and organisers have whittled them down to the final 40.

The awards were founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam to highlight the more quirky and fun images of wildlife.

Sullam said that now more than ever people need a bit of a smile.

"With so much going on in the world, we could all use a bumper dose of fun and laughter and this year's finalists have definitely delivered that," said Sullam.

"When you see these amazing photographs like the one of an elephant seal, trying to use his neighbour's head as pillow (and we've all been there) or a wallaby at sunset, seemingly about to launch another wallaby into space, it makes you smile and wonder at the incredible animals that are on this Earth with us, and we love that about the competition."

There is also a more serious side to the awards as the aim is to highlight wildlife conservation. This year the competition is supporting a UK-based charity Whitley Fund for Nature, which helps conservation leaders working in their home countries.

Past winners include an unfortunate-looking golden silk monkey who seems to have hurt his privates on a bridge supporting wire, and Terry, a rather grumpy turtle who was flipping the bird.

This year's winner, who will be announced in December, will receive a one-week safari in Kenya and a handmade trophy, and there is also a public vote. Details at comedywildlifephoto.com.

Stuff.co.nz