“Captured in these dramatic photos, a group of hungry crocodiles attempt to outsmart a herd of impala before succeeding in snatching a baby impala in its jaws.”
The young impala was born in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, where a recent drought has left the animals struggling to find enough water.
Wildlife photographer Karen van Damme, 53, from Johannesburg, was on hand to photograph the devastating moment that the youngster finally found something to drink – but was not quick enough to escape the crocodile lurking beneath the water’s surface.
Quick attack: The crocodile launches itself out of the muddy watering hole before snapping up the startled baby impala in its jaws
Victory: The crocodile was seen dragging its prey back into the water as the rest of the herd looked on in shock in Kruger National Park
Eating in peace: After battling off other crocodiles, this fast-moving one dragged the carcass of the impala to a nearby watering hole to eat
She said:’The animals are very thin because they have dropped their new babies but there is not green grass to feed on, and the rivers have diminished to large puddles – a series of small waterholes.
‘The crocodiles all congregate in these large puddles and the animals need to be very wary when they are drinking due to there being so many crocs. These crocodiles made a few unsuccessful attempts to catch an impala, and the impala explode into the air with fright at each attempt.
‘We had been watching from a distance for about four hours before they managed to catch anything. A baby impala that was inexperienced went too far into the water to drink and did not recognize the nearby crocodile.
‘A bigger croc waited for the impala to relax and then managed to catch it by the hind leg. The croc dragged the impala into the water and tried to drown it by rolling it and pulling it under into the muddy water.
Unsuspecting: The thirsty impala were photographed sipping on water from the shallow pond in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
Hidden danger: Some of the animals appeared unaware that they were just inches away from crocodiles lurking beneath the water
First strike: The photographer watched as the crocodile tried to catch the herd off guard, prompting them to leap out of the way to safety
Startled: The impala jump several feet into the air as they spring out of the reach of the crocodile, which is seen among the mud and dirt
Lightning-fast reaction: Within moments, the impala are seen bounding away from the crocodile-infested watering hole
Unlucky one: Eventually the crocodile is able to find a baby impala, who is not old enough to know about the dangers of crocodiles
Dramatic: Mud splatters into the air as the crocodile launches itself out of the water and clamps down on the impala as it tries to escape
Last chance: Determined not to give up, the impala is seen scrambling on the banks of the river as it tries to flee from the starving croc
‘The crocs in the nearby waterholes all flocked to the croc with the impala and there was a fight over the baby impala. The croc then managed to leave the water hole with his kill and escape to the nearby waterhole to eat in peace.
‘I felt really sorry for the thirsty impalas as the temperatures there were going well into the 40C range. The impala were literally trying to dodge between crocs to drink and the crocs kept changing their position to try outwit the impala.
‘After an unsuccessful attempt by the croc, the impala would go back to the spot and lean towards the croc top see what it was. The mother of the dead baby was bleating and calling for her baby.
‘I was amazed at how curious the impala were as they went straight back to the spot where the croc leapt out at them, to have a better look at what the croc was.’
Prey: The crocodile drags the impala down into the mud after winning the struggle on the shores of the watering hole
Into the deep: The impala is brought down into the thick mud, where it looses its battle with the crocodile and quickly dies
Final bid for freedom: The impala lifts its head out of the muddy water as it takes its final breaths before succumbing to the crocodile
Going under: Just the last tufts of hair are seen on the rump of the impala as it is dragged beneath the water by the powerful crocodile
Feeding frenzy: Within moments, other crocodiles start to move in on the kill – determined to have a bite of the young impala
Not enough to share: The crocodiles are determined to sink their teeth into the young impala and continue to thrash around in the water
Circling the prey: As the other crocodiles continue to tussle in the water, the victorious animal is seen swimming over to the shoreline
