Shocked monkey in a very awkward position wins comedy wildlife photo prize

Remember that sweary turtle that captured all our hearts in 2020 in the final of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards?

Well, he's got fresh competition.

This week, the awards — an annual competition supported by wildlife conservation nonprofit The Born Free Foundation and founded by Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam — announced its new range of winners, and they're every bit as silly as last year's batch.

From unfortunate monkeys to gleeful elephants, and with a description from the photographers below each explaining the circumstances, here they are...

Overall winner

"A golden silk monkey in Yunnan China — this is actually a show of aggression, however in the position that the monkey is in it looks quite painful!"

People's Choice winner and Creature of Air winner

"I was taking pics of pigeons in flight when this leaf landed on the bird's face."

Creature of Land winner

"When this bald Eagle missed on its attempt to grab this prairie dog, the prairie dog jumped towards the eagle and startled it long enough to escape to a nearby burrow. A real David vs Goliath story!"

Creature of Water winner

"A smooth-coated otter 'bit' its baby otter to bring it back to and fro for swimming lesson."

Portfolio winner

"An elephant expresses his joy in taking a mud bath against the dead trees on the shores of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on a hot afternoon."

Glorious.

If you want more comedy wildlife, you can take a look at last year's finalists here.