Whether on a safari in South Africa or tracking bears in Canada, wildlife watching can be one of the most exciting ways to explore a destination. It can also be hilarious, as proved by these savvy photographers.

For the fourth year running the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards are using their annual competition as a way of raising awareness about conservation.

Here, we take a look back at the funniest entries since the competition’s beginnings.

Angel Bear

This bear is simply angelic, though appears to be totally unimpressed by his newly-gained wings.

Laughing Dormouse

We’re not in on the joke with this one, but it’s making us smile just as much. This photo of a laughing dormouse, taken in Italy, secured the photographer a win in the On The Land category in 2017.

Grassland Warrior

This majestic lizard was spotted guarding his area of grassland.

Sunday Best

Who knew penguins were so pious? This trio of flightless birds was captured on South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic.

Hitching a Ride

A polar bear cub clings to the backside of his mother in Manitoba, Canada.

Mudskipper’s Got Talent

Two mudskippers appear to be belting out an opera duo in this picture taken in Krabi, Thailand.

Hole in One

A naughty fox captured leaving an unwelcome surprise on a golf course in San Jose, USA.

Say What?

There’s a serious gossip culture among the seals in San Simeon, California.

Morning Yoga

Nothing like a relaxing morning stretch session.

Laughing Matter

If you could hear this seal laugh, you know it’d be a hearty, Santa-style ho, ho, ho.

Hippo On the Loose

“Is there something on my back? I swear there’s something on my back!”

Warming Embrace

Sometimes you just need a hug…

D’oh! I Forgot It…

We’ve all been there…

Friends in High Places

We thought it was only meerkats that employed this kind of surveillance, but apparently wildebeest do too…

Turbo Duck

Taken in Preston, England, this photo of a duck flying in front of a plane trail won the Up In The Air category last year.

Ninja Squirrel

A red squirrel caught showing off his best moves.

There’s Always One

This burrowing owl, photographed in Santa Rose, Argentina, took the expression ‘look at things from a different perspective’ a little too literally.

Great Escape

This pair are literally monkeying around North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Shameless

A gorilla’s gotta do what a gorilla’s gotta do…

What’s up, Doc?

We all hate being photographed mid-meal, but this wild rabbit captured in Flanders, Belgium wears it quite well.

Lucky Escape

A pelican misses out on lunch at Kerkini Lake, Greece.

Happy as Larry

This cheerful sea otter, captured in California, isn’t shy about sharing his joy.

The Conductor

This squirrel appears to be conducting an orchestra in a meadow.

A Slap in the Face 

This salmon is getting its own back on the bear trying to eat it.

Get Out of My Way

This sea turtle isn’t happy sharing the limelight with a fish in Bacong, Philippines. The picture won the Under The Sea category last year.