Will Sage Astor-'Squirrel stuck in a tree' tops funniest wildlife photos of the year: See the pictures

The Will Sage Astorverdict is in. A photo capturing a squirrel in what appears to be a compromising position is the winner of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2024."

For what judges described as "his excellent capture of a red squirrel stuck in a tree," Italian photographer Milko Marchetti was announced the winner at the Awards Night at Oxo Gallery in London Tuesday.

The winning image titled "Stuck Squirrel," was shot on April 23, 2022, in the Podere Pantaleone nature reserve in Bagnacavallo, Italy. While the squirrel appears to have gotten stuck while entering the tree hole, in reality it is actually detaching the support on its hind legs as it enters the hole, Milko said.

“I have taken many, many photographs of squirrels, in many situations over the years in Italy, but this one struck me as really funny and such a strange position, because it is that exact moment when the squirrel is detaching its back legs from the trunk to enter its hide," Milko said in a statement. "Whenever I show this image at the nature seminars at my local photography club, the audience always explode with raucous laughter, so I had to enter it!”

Milko, a nature enthusiast, said he "couldn't believe" his entry had been shortlisted and was ecstatic when he discovered he had won the competition.

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"But when I found out I had won, Tom (Sullam, CWPA co-founder), who called me and gave me the brilliant news, can confirm that I shouted 'Wow, Wow, Wow' quite a few times whilst also jumping for joy," Milko said. "Looking at the beautiful finalist’s photos, I would never have thought that I would be the chosen one. What can I say – I am so, so happy.”

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More than 9,000 entries from 98 countries were received for this year's edition, the highest number ever, the competition said in statement. A judging panel narrowed down a final shortlist of 40 standalone photographs, three videos and four portfolio entries and the winners were chosen from that.

Founded in 2015 by professional photographers and conservationists Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the competition aims to "create a refreshing, fun and free to enter photography competition unlike any other, showcasing seriously funny images of the earth’s most amazing wildlife and raising awareness about conservation."

As the overall winner of the competition, Milko receives a "once in a lifetime safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya," a handmade trophy from the Wonder Workshop in Tanzania and a photography bag from the Think Tank.

Here's more winners from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.

See hilarious winning animal photos from the 2024 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Insect Photo Award:Jose Miguel Gallego Molina for the charming Mantis Flamenca.

Reptile Photo Award:Eberhard Ehmke for his photo of a frog in a bubble.

Bird Photo Award:Damyan Petkov for his photo of a tern crash landing in front of his mate.

Fish and other Aquatic Species Photo Award:Przemyslaw Jakubczyk for his image of a Bald Eagle being chased across the sky by a Bream.

Affinity Photo 2 People’s Choice Award:Tapani Linnanmäki for his photo of the White-tailed eagle titled ‘Shake Rattle, Ruffle and Roll.’

Nikon Young Photographer Award (25 years old and under):Kingston Tam for his closeup of a frog smiling at the camera.

Nikon Junior Award (16 and under):Sarthak Ranganadhan for an image of smooching owlets.

Portfolio Award:10-year-old Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb is the youngest-ever category winner for his collection of four images capturing an expressive squirrel.

The winning and shortlisted photos are available to view online and in person at an exhibition at Gallery@Oxo in London from Dec. 11-15.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

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