Advertisements The competition was co-founded by Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, both professional photographers. They wanted to create a photographic competition that focused on the lighter side of wildlife, but most importantly though, they wanted to promote the conservation of wildlife and their habitats. This contest does it in a unique and fun way, through humorous and light-hearted imagery and a positive message.
Along with this year’s images, the contest founders are sharing a few ideas on how you can be a conservationist at home:
1. Shop responsibly
This is something everyone can do, and they can do it in a variety of ways. For example, don’t buy products which have palm oil, because the palm oil plantations are destroying rainforests and thus affecting the global weather. Try and avoid un-recyclable products. Give yourself a mission – ok how about one yogurt pot per person per week of non-recyclable products? These are only some suggestions, but you’re welcome to think of your own ways.
2. Reduce water use at home
Here’s another thing you can do for our planet on a daily basis. You can have shorter showers, flush the toilet and water your garden a little less, and close the tap while brushing your teeth, for example.
3. Become a “wild influencer”
A “wild influencer” is “a special person who may be not a mega activist, but really, really cares about the environment and what is happening,” as the competition founders explain. As a “wild influencer,” you can do a few very simple and easy things:
Encourage your friends and family about some of the simple things we have mentioned above, talk about it in social media, in the pub, at workDoes your workplace subscribe to some good environmental practices? Find really awesome conservation organizations and engage with them on email, or social media.Email or write to your local government representative, maybe an MP, a House of Rep, a counselor and find out what they are doing to help the wildlife around the world. Hold your elected representatives accountable. You have a voice, we all do, use it and don’t be afraid.
Finally, remember – every single thing you do for conservation, as an individual, a family, a football club, a workplace – makes an impact. So do it! The competition runs until 30 June 2019 at midnight GMT, so if you’d like to submit your images, there’s still time to do it. The winner earns a photo safari in the Maasai Mara in Kenya, with Alex Walker’s Serian, the title of 2019 Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year and an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II KIT camera. And now, scroll down to see the best entries so far. If you’re up for more funny animals, make sure to check out the 2017 and 2018 photos as well.
