Mountain gorilla’s joyful dance crowned this year’s funniest wildlife photo

A playful young gorilla in Rwanda's Virunga Mountains has taken the top honour in this year’s competition. (Image: (Mark Meth-Cohn/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards)

A lively young gorilla has captured global attention after British photographer Mark Meth-Cohn spent four days trekking through the Virunga mountains in Rwanda. His patience led him to a playful male gorilla eager to display energetic moves for the camera. The moment produced a winning shot that earned him the top prize at this year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards in London.

Meth-Cohn said the gorilla happily performed bold movements nearby. He described pirouettes, tumbles and high kicks appearing very naturally. He said watching the display felt joyful and uplifting. His photograph, titled “High Five,” also topped the mammals category. Judges praised the picture for its humour and warm spirit.

Organisers confirmed a record entry count for the contest. They received more than 10,000 submissions from 109 countries worldwide. Judges reduced the entries to a shortlist of forty finalists. The panel then selected the overall winner and category leaders. Ten additional finalists received highly commended recognition from organisers.

Thirteen-year-old Grayson Bell won the Nikon Junior Award. His image showed two frogs wrestling in clear water. It also secured the reptile, amphibian and insect category.

Photographer Paula Rustemeier won the Nikon Young Category award. Her picture, “Hit the dance floor,” captured foxes playing together naturally.

Nikon Europe said the photographers used creative joy effectively. The company praised their skill in portraying wildlife behaviour. The winning and finalist images are now displayed publicly. The exhibition is open at gallery@oxo in London. Visitors can view the show until December 14.

A People’s Choice Award vote remains open online. The public can participate until March 1 from anywhere.