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“Forest Rodeo”

A macaque clings to the back of a sika stag in Yakushima, Japan.
A macaque clings to the back of a sika stag in Yakushima, Japan. Photo: © Atsuyuki Ohshima, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Male caques are known to leap onto deer’s backs on Yakushima, an island of Japan, in an attempt to mate with them, according to a Natural History Museum release accompanying the photo release. In this case, the macaque was female (and so was the deer), in what appears to have been a joy ride rather than an attempt at mating. This image was highly commended in the Behavior: Mammals category.