A contest was held to find this year's funniest animal photo. Here are 15 of the best.
A hamster has to get somewhere fast. It would also like to eat some nuts, if possible. Finally, it comes up with a genius solution.
Photo by Julian Radd/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2015.
That solution, miraculously caught on camera by photographer Julian Radd, was the winner of the 2015 Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.
The awards are the brainchild of Tanzania-based photographers Tom Sullam and Paul Joynson-Hicks, who launched the contest last year.
The pair, along with a panel of judges, run the competition in partnership with Born Free, a global animal rights group supporting anti-poaching efforts in Tanzania and around the world.
"Instead of drawing attention to wildlife through showing foxes being ripped to pieces by hounds, or a bird that’s being slashed open and it’s filled with litter, we just thought, ‘Let’s celebrate the wildlife and raise awareness that way,'" Sullam said.
This year, the group received nearly 3,000 entries. While high-quality photos can be more competitive, the contest ultimately only has one inviolable rule: Be funny.
"The humor scoring outweighs the photographic scoring," Sullam said.
Here are 15 of this year's best entries:
1. This cheetah cracking up.
Photo by Dutton Robert/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
2. These one-and-a-half owls.
Photo by Barb D'Arpino/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.
3. This baby elephant taking a moment to collect itself on the side of the road.
Photo by Markus Pavlowsky/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
4. This field mouse on stilts.
Photo by Michael Erwin/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
5. These monkeys not fighting the feeling.
Photo by Sushil Chauhan/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
6. These puffins going diagonal.
Photo by Mary Swaby/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
7. This eagle, definitely not trying to figure out how to eat you. Not at all.
Photo by Will Saunders/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
8. This chipmunk, slowly realizing it's in over its head.
Photo by Barb D'Arpino/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
9. This seal just saying "Hey."
Photo by Adam White/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
10. This kangaroo enjoying the comforts of modern society.
Photo by Rosario Losano/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
11. This fluffy monkey, preparing a vicious sneak attack.
Photo by Nicolas de Vaulx/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
12. This odd couple, a chipmunk and a toad, experiencing a deep sensory connection.
Photo by Isabelle Marozzo/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
13. These squirrels squirreling it real hard.
Photo by Yvette Richard/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
14. This wasp with a fancier jewelry collection than you.
Photo by Murray Mcculloch/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
15. And lastly, this snowy owl, finding its bliss.
Photo by Edward Kopeschny/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2016.
Sullam says he hopes the photos, while lighthearted, reinforce the importance of protecting these animals for those who see them.
"It’s going to get the same impact," he said. "It’s just not negative."
The winners will be announced Nov. 9, 2016.
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.