Some of the cutest, most unusual, and funniest animal photos of the year have been revealed, according to a report from CNN on October 6. These images were chosen for the final round of the International Humorous Wildlife Photography Competition 2026 edition. The competition received over 10,000 entries from around the world, setting a new record since its creation ten years ago, as noted by Discover Wildlife. "What started as a modest awareness initiative to better protect wildlife has become something much bigger than we imagined," says Tom Sulllam, one of the co-founders, in a statement shared by specialized media outlets. The competition now has a truly global reach, and the organizers aim to make it even bigger and funnier within the next ten years. They believe that using humor helps people develop empathy for wildlife, which in turn can lead to positive changes in behavior and attitudes toward nature. The jury, composed of notable figures such as television presenters, wildlife documentary directors, and comedians, has two months to deliberate on the final selections. In addition to the photographs, nine videos have also been chosen for the final round. The winners of the competition will be announced on December 8, marking the culmination of a year's worth of creative and humorous wildlife imagery from around the world.