50 Astonishing Animal Photos of 2016

1 minute read

In a year that proved to be more eventful than anticipated, the world of animals provided a sense of comfort. Their cuteness and capacity to entertain by acting out in unexpected, affectionate ways or by mimicking human gestures remain understated.

Whether they’re winged or furry, big or small, a few critters made the headlines such as a giant panda cub adorably falling off the stage in China or a penguin of merit inspecting the guards of honor in Scotland. Heartbreaking photographs of starving dogs at a shelter in Venezuela and workers rescuing their pigs from a massive flood in China to the head-scratching 19-year old chimpanzee smoking a cigarette also made waves.

TIME presents a collection of standout images from the animal kingdom shot and shared over the past 12 months.

Follow TIME LightBox on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

A horse makes its way through a cloud of smoke rising from fumigation being done to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in Allahabad, India, on Sept. 9, 2016.
A horse makes its way through a cloud of smoke rising from fumigation being done to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in Allahabad, India, on Sept. 9, 2016. Rajesh Kumar Singh—AP
Flamingos after thousands of flamingo chicks have emerged from their nests at Salt Lake, which is home to the biggest flamingo colony in Turkey and the Mediterranean basin, in Aksaray, Turkey, on June 28, 2016.
Flamingos migrate after thousands of flamingo chicks have emerged from their nests at Salt Lake, which is home to the biggest flamingo colony in Turkey and the Mediterranean basin, in Aksaray, Turkey, on June 28, 2016.Murat Oner Tas—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A pair of tigers soak in a shallow pool at Tiger Temple, a Buddhist monastery where paying visitors can interact with young adult tigers, in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, on March 16, 2016.
A pair of tigers soak in a shallow pool at the Tiger Temple, a controversial Buddhist monastery where paying visitors can interact with young adult tigers, in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, on March 16, 2016. Amanda Mustard—The New York Times/Redux
Villagers watch as bulls fight during the Maghesangranti festival at Talukachandani village in Nuwakot district near Kathmandu, Nepal, on Jan. 15, 2016.
Villagers watch as bulls fight during the Maghesangranti festival at Talukachandani village in Nuwakot district near Kathmandu, Nepal, on Jan. 15, 2016. Navesh Chitrakar—Reuters
A Thai veterinarian takes a DNA sample from an unconscious wild monkey during a wild monkey health treatment program at Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park in Phetchaburi province, Thailand, on April 5, 2016.
A Thai veterinarian takes a DNA sample from an unconscious wild monkey during a health treatment program at Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park in Phetchaburi province, Thailand, on April 5, 2016. Rungroj Yongrit—EPA
From left: Maria Silva, Milena Cortes, Maria Arteaga, Jackeline Bastidas and Gissy Abello pose for a picture at the Famproa dogs shelter where they work, in Los Teques, Venezuela, on Aug. 25, 2016.
From left: Maria Silva, Milena Cortes, Maria Arteaga, Jackeline Bastidas and Gissy Abello at the Famproa dogs shelter where they work, in Los Teques, Venezuela, on Aug. 25, 2016. Carlos Garcia Rawlins—Reuters
Several wild horses escape as a helicopter is used by the Bureau of Land Management to gather wild horses into a trap along Highway 21 near the Sulphur Herd Management Area south of Garrison, Utah, on Feb. 26, 2015.
Several wild horses escape as a helicopter is used by the Bureau of Land Management to gather wild horses into a trap along Highway 21 near Garrison, Utah, on Feb. 26, 2015.Jim Urquhart—Reuters
A giant panda cub falls from a stage while 23 giant pandas born in 2016 are seen on a display at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China, on Sept. 29, 2016.
A giant panda cub falls from a stage while 23 giant pandas born in 2016 are seen on a display at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, China, on Sept. 29, 2016. China Daily/Reuters
A penguin named Nils Olav inspects the Guard of Honour formed by His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, on Aug. 22, 2016.
A penguin named Nils Olav inspects the Guard of Honour formed by His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard at Edinburgh Zoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Aug. 22, 2016.Mark Owens—AFP/Getty Images
An Indian elephant takes a dust bath amid rising temperatures at Zirakpur Chattbira Zoo, near Chandigarh, on April 18, 2016.
An Indian elephant takes a dust bath amid rising temperatures at Zirakpur Chattbira Zoo, near Chandigarh, India, on April 18, 2016. STR/AFP/Getty Images
A dog wanders through a flooded neighborhood in Gonzales, La., on Aug. 16, 2016.
A dog wanders through a flooded neighborhood in Gonzales, La., on Aug. 16, 2016.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images
Azat Shajbyrov reacts with a baby falcon on his head in the village of Bokonbaevo, Issyk-Kul area, Kyrgyzstan, on June 22, 2016.
Azat Shajbyrov reacts to a baby falcon in the village of Bokonbaevo, Issyk-Kul area, Kyrgyzstan, on June 22, 2016.Igor Kovalenko—EPA
Valerie Nunes-Atkinson and CJ, a German shorthaired pointer, pose for photographers after CJ won best in show at the 140th Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, on Feb. 16, 2016.
Valerie Nunes-Atkinson and CJ, a German shorthaired pointer, pose after CJ won best in show at the 140th Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, on Feb. 16, 2016.Seth Wenig—AP
One of three Sperm Whales, which were found washed ashore, lays on a beach in Skegness, England, on Jan. 25, 2016.
One of three sperm whales, which were found washed ashore, lays on a beach in Skegness, England, on Jan. 25, 2016. Dan Kitwood—Getty Images
A monkey raises its hand in class at a monkey training school in a zoo in Dongying, China, on Jan. 26, 2016.
A monkey raises its hand in class at a monkey training school in a zoo in Dongying, China, on Jan. 26, 2016.Wang Zhao—AFP/Getty Images
Australian dog trainer and former surfing champion Chris de Aboitiz rides a wave with his dogs Rama and Millie off Sydney's Palm Beach, Australia, on Feb. 18, 2016.
Australian dog trainer and former surfing champion Chris de Aboitiz rides a wave with his dogs Rama and Millie off Sydney's Palm Beach, Australia, on Feb. 18, 2016. Jason Reed—Reuters
Male chimpanzee Chacha screams at a man trying to capture him on power lines in a residential area of Sendai, Japan, on April 14, 2016.
Male chimpanzee Chacha screams at a man trying to capture him on power lines in a residential area of Sendai, Japan, on April 14, 2016.Kyodo/AP
Alister Shipman from Britain, right, and Hannah Simpson from Northern Ireland, winners of a competition on the Airbnb accommodation site pose in a bed of an underwater room structure installed in the Aquarium of Paris, in Paris, on April 11, 2016.
Alister Shipman, right, and Hannah Simpson, winners of an Airbnb competition, pose in a bed of an underwater room structure installed in the Aquarium of Paris, on April 11, 2016.Chesnot/Getty Images
Employees save pigs from a flooded farm in Lu'an, Anhui Province, China, on July 5, 2016.
Employees save pigs from a flooded farm in Lu'an, Anhui Province, China, on July 5, 2016. Reuters
An emu runs to escape an approaching wildfire as it burns near Potrero, Calif., on June 20, 2016.
An emu runs to escape an approaching wildfire as it burns near Potrero, Calif., on June 20, 2016. Mike Blake—Reuters
Bruno, a bearded collie cross, walks in the wind in Newquay in Cornwall, England, on Feb. 8, 2016.
Bruno, a bearded collie cross, walks in the wind in Cornwall, England, on Feb. 8, 2016.Matt Cardy—Getty Images
Birds are pictured on the track during the 2016 Rio Olympics, Men's High Jump Final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 16, 2016.
Birds on a track during the 2016 Rio Olympics, Men's High Jump Final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 16, 2016.Kai Pfaffenbach—Reuters
Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel gets in some practice runs before her shows at the Toronto International Boat Show in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 7, 2016.
Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel gets in some practice runs before her shows at the Toronto International Boat Show in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 7, 2016.Steve Russell—Getty Images
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 22: Caroline and David Cuthbertson prepare their Highland bull Altruedh of Crannich for the Royal Highland show at Ingliston showground in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 22, 2016.
Caroline and David Cuthbertson prepare their Highland bull Altruedh of Crannich for the Royal Highland show at Ingliston showground in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 22, 2016.Jeff J. Mitchell—Getty Images
A man watches buffalos cross a river as they head to another grazing area in Nanchong, China, on Aug. 10, 2016.
A man watches buffalos cross a river as they head to another grazing area in Nanchong, China, on Aug. 10, 2016. China Daily/Reuters
Larry, The Downing Street Cat, stands outside N10 Downing Street in London, on June 24, 2016.
Larry, The Downing Street Cat, stands outside N10 Downing Street in London, on June 24, 2016. Facundo Arrizabalaga—EPA
A diver dressed in a monkey costume featuring animal signs from the Chinese zodiac calendar, performs with sardines, in conjunction with Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at an aquarium in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji - RTX21YHK
A diver dressed in a monkey costume featuring animal signs from the Chinese zodiac calendar, performs with sardines, in conjunction with Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at an aquarium in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 12, 2016. Kim Hong-Ji—Reuters
Azalea, a 19-year-old female chimpanzee whose Korean name is "Dallae," smokes a cigarette at the Central Zoo in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Oct. 19, 2016.
Azalea, a 19-year-old female chimpanzee whose Korean name is "Dallae," smokes a cigarette at the Central Zoo in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Oct. 19, 2016. Wong Maye-E—AP
Musher Justin Savidis' dogs wait in the truck before the restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow, Alaska, on March 6, 2016.
Musher Justin Savidis' dogs wait in a truck before the restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow, Alaska, on March 6, 2016. Nathaniel Wilder—Reuters
A female baby polar bear is fed by her mother in Bremerhaven, Germany, on March 9, 2016.
A female baby polar bear is fed by her mother in Bremerhaven, Germany, on March 9, 2016.Carmen Jaspersen—AFP/Getty Images
A worker feeds a crocodile named "Shaquille" at an enclosure at the Malabon Zoo in Manila, Philippines, on March 3, 2016.
A worker feeds a crocodile named Shaquille at an enclosure at the Malabon Zoo in Manila, Philippines, on March 3, 2016.Noel Celis—AFP/Getty Images
Sheep take part in the "Lamb National" race during the Prince's Countryside Fund Raceday at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England, on April 3, 2016.
Sheep take part in the "Lamb National" race during the Prince's Countryside Fund Raceday at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England, on April 3, 2016.Max Mumby—Getty Images
A tiger yawns next to a piglet at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo, in Chonburi province, Thailand, on June 7, 2016.
A tiger yawns next to a piglet at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo, in Chonburi province, Thailand, on June 7, 2016. Chaiwat Subprasom—Reuters
A poodle is groomed by its owner on the first day of Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham, England, on March 10, 2016.
A poodle is groomed by its owner on the first day of Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham, England, on March 10, 2016.Ben Pruchnie—Getty Images
Jason Wurtz of Van Nuys, Calif., holds his dog Sweepee Rambo after winning the 2016 World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., on June 24, 2016.
Jason Wurtz of Van Nuys, Calif., holds his dog Sweepee Rambo after winning the 2016 World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., on June 24, 2016.Justin Sullivan—Getty Images
A baby giraffe of Niger named Kenai, right, born on Aug. 25, 2016, kisses his mother Dioni at the zoo of La Fleche, northwestern France, on on Aug. 31, 2016.
A baby giraffe of Niger named Kenai, right, born on Aug. 25, 2016, kisses his mother Dioni at the zoo of La Fleche, France, on Aug. 31, 2016.Jean-Francois Monier—AFP/Getty Images
Pierre Thivillon, right, director of the zoological park of Saint-Martin-La-Plaine and his wife Eliane look at Digit, an 18-year-old female gorilla in Saint-Martin-La-Plaine, France, on Aug. 19, 2016.
Pierre Thivillon, right, director of the zoological park of Saint-Martin-La-Plaine and his wife Eliane look at Digit, an 18-year-old female gorilla in Saint-Martin-La-Plaine, France, on Aug. 19, 2016.Phillipe Desmazes—AFP/Getty Images
KENYA-ANIMALS-MIGRATION
A wildebeest herd is pictured during the annual wildebeest migration on the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, on Sept. 13, 2016.Carl de Souza—AFP/Getty Images
An arctic weasel runs on the snowy beach of Unstad , Lofoten Island, in the Arctic Circle, on March 8, 2016.
An arctic weasel runs on the snowy beach of Unstad, Lofoten Island, in the Arctic Circle, on March 8, 2016.Olivier Morin—AFP/Getty Images
Cloned dogs in a glass-fronted pen at a care room of the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation, a world leader in pet cloning, in Seoul, on June 29, 2016.
Cloned dogs in a glass-fronted pen at a care room of the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation, a world leader in pet cloning, in Seoul, on June 29, 2016.Jung Yeon-Je—AFP/Getty Images
A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian Peacock spider, Maratus Bubo, shows off his colourful abdomen in this undated picture from Australia
A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian Peacock spider, Maratus Bubo, shows off its colorful abdomen in Australia, on June 6, 2016.Reuters
Soldiers of Chinese People's Liberation Army salute as they perform with their dogs before a dog training competition, in Heihe, China, on Aug. 16, 2016.
Soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army salute as they perform with their dogs before a dog training competition, in Heihe, China, on Aug. 16, 2016. Reuters
An owner takes a picture of her dog as it climbs up on a glass panel while swimming at a pool for dogs in Chengdu, China, on Aug. 16, 2016.
An owner takes a picture of her dog as it climbs up on a glass panel while swimming at a pool for dogs in Chengdu, China, on Aug. 16, 2016. Reuters
Bjorn, aged 5, smiles as he poses with a owl butterfly during an event to launch the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London, on March 23, 2016.
Bjorn, aged 5, smiles as he poses with owl butterflies during an event to launch the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London, on March 23, 2016. Dylan Martinez—Reuters
A group of Indian Runner ducks march past farm buildings at the Vergenoegd wine estate near Cape Town, South Africa, on May 11, 2016.
A group of Indian Runner ducks march past farm buildings at the Vergenoegd wine estate near Cape Town, South Africa, on May 11, 2016. Mike Hutchings—Reuters
A Iberian lynx named Mistral jumps in a field after being released by Portugal's Minister of Environment Joao Matos Fernandes and others in the Mount Milhouro region in Mertola, Portugal, on May 13, 2016.
An Iberian lynx named Mistral jumps in a field after being released by Portugal's Minister of Environment Joao Matos Fernandes and others in the Mount Milhouro region in Mertola, Portugal, on May 13, 2016. Nuno Veiga—EPA
TOPSHOT-GREECE-EUROPE-MIGRANTS
A stray dog stands among outboard motors that were used by refugees and migrants to reach the Greek northern island of Lesbos, in Mytilene, on Feb. 23, 2016.Aris Messinis—AFP/Getty Images
Villagers gather to watch two sheep fighting in a sheep competition during a temple fair at Lihejing Village in Hua County, China, on March 22, 2016.
Villagers gather to watch two sheep fighting in a sheep competition during a temple fair at Lihejing Village in Hua County, China, on March 22, 2016. VCG/Getty Images
A little girl takes a picture of a lion in the zoo in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sept. 13, 2016.
A little girl takes a picture of a lion in the zoo in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sept. 13, 2016. Michael Probst—AP
A man, whose house is covered with snow because of a night long heavy snowfall, tries to clear the path in front of his barn in the Gorentas neighborhood of Catak District in Van, Turkey, on Jan. 21, 2016.
A man, whose house is covered with snow tries to clear the path in front of his barn in Van, Turkey, on Jan. 21, 2016. Ozkan Bilgin—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com