Splashing around in the water with macabre glee, a crocodile flings a young hippo calf around in its jaws like a rag doll.
Amateur photographer Roland Ross captured these incredible photographs near Lower Sabie in Kruger Park, South Africa.
Vaclav Silha, the Czech photographer, had set up his camera on the banks of the Grumeti River in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, to take snaps of 50 hippos bathing in the river.
But the peaceful scene was broken when the bathers were interrupted by a crocodile.
“Mutual respect between these animals means fights occur very rarely,” said Mr Vaclav, 45.
“One of the only reasons you might see a conflict is if the hippos have young and they think the little ones are under threat. That’s exactly what happened here.
“The incautious croc got too close to a female who had calves and the whole group gathered into a defensive circle around them. It was a strong message for the croc to clear off.
“I have absolutely no idea why, but the crocodile suddenly raced across the backs of the hippos. I think it might have panicked and thought it was a possible escape route. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“It was the worst choice the reptile could ever have made and it was definitely its last.
