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Comedy wildlife photo awards shortlist revealed
From a kangaroo playing air guitar to a squabble between feathered friends.

The thousands of entries for this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been whittled down to a shortlist of the best photos and videos.

Forty-one standalone photographs are shortlisted, along with three videos and three portfolios. They will be judged by a panel which includes TV presenter Kate Humble, comedian Hugh Dennis, and the co-founder of the Born Free Foundation Will Travers.

The public can also vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award. The winners will be announced on 23 November.

We’ve picked six of our favourites from the shortlist.

(C) Otter Kwek/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Otter Ballerina

This snap of a smooth-coated otter was taken by the appropriately-named Otter Kwek in Singapore.
 
Mr Kwek said: “I showed this photo to a ballet teacher, and she commented that the otter is a natural but just needs to tuck in its tummy a bit.”

(C) Dikla Gabriely/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Picture me! Picture me!

This brown bear from Finland was very keen to attract the attention of photographer Dikla Gabriely.

(C) John Blumenkamp/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Monday Blahs

John Blumenkamp, who took this snap in the Grand Teton National Park, USA, said: “This great grey owl spent most of the afternoon posing majestically and looking, well, wise. But for a moment or two after doing some elegant stretching, he/she would slump and give a look of 'Is Monday over yet?'” 

(C) Jason Moore/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Air Guitar Roo

Spotted by Jason Moore as he was driving in Australia, this grey kangaroo is very much enjoying playing air guitar. Perhaps he's pretending to be a member of legendary Aussie rockers AC/DC.

(C) Jacek Stankiewicz/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Dispute

These goldfinches, photographed by Jacek Stankiewicz in a Polish forest, are clearly not getting along.
 
Mr Stankiewicz said: “My friends interpret this scene in two ways. 1. A young naughty kid is arguing with a parent. 2. One kid is reporting to the parent that its brother did something wrong: look he has broken the glass in the window.”

(C) Adrian Slazok/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Everyone Can Fly

Snapped on the east coast of England in late autumn, Adrian Slazok's photograph shows a grey seal taking off from the beach.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.