Tossed around as if they’re toys, these zebras and wildebeest didn’t stand a chance when they ventured into the path of killer crocodiles.
The images, which were snapped in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, show the large aquatic reptiles tackle the migrating mammals as they attempt to cross a deadly stretch of the Mara River.
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Killer instinct: Tossed around as if they’re toys, these zebras and wildebeest didn’t stand a chance when they ventured into the path of crocodiles (
Image:
Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
Bloody end: The images were snapped in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve (
Image:
Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
Captured by wildlife photographer Paolo Torchio, the graphic pictures, taken in August, show the cruelty of nature as the strongest survive.
The 54-year-old Italian spotted the events unfolding when he was in the area visiting from his home in Nairobi, Kenya.
Every year in east Africa, around 1.5 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra travel north from Tanzania to Kenya in search of food and water.
River of terror: The large aquatic reptiles tackled migrating mammals as they attempted to cross a deadly stretch of the Mara River (
Image:
Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
Tucking in: The graphic images were captured by wildlife photographer Paolo Torchio (
However, the 1,800 mile journey is treacherous and an esᴛι̇ɱated 250,000 wildebeest do not safely reach their destination.
Paolo, who has been photographing wildlife for 25 years, said: “During this long journey the herds are forced to cross through ɱaпy rivers – some are small streams but some, like the Mara river, are big and infested by hungry crocodiles.
“In my career as wildlife photographer I have seen ɱaпy predators like lions and leopards killing other animals – that is just a part of nature.
Annual trip: Every year in east Africa, around 1.5 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra travel north (
Image:
Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
Danger zone: The 1,800 mile journey is treacherous and an esᴛι̇ɱated 250,000 wildebeest do not safely reach their destination (
Image:
Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
“But I will never get used to the way crocs hunt and kill prey, especially when the water is not deep enough for a croc to drown the prey and kill it fast.
“When water is low, like in the pictures taken, they literally eat the prey alive, tearing apart chunk of meat from the screaming animal.”
And Paolo revealed that capturing such incredible images is all about ᴛι̇ɱing.
