DRAMATIC pictures have emerged showing a colossal crocodile ripping apart a Thomson’s gazelle in a brutal attack.
Photographer Frank Liu unexpectedly captured the incredible moment when he visited the Maasai Mara in Narok County, Kenya, in September.
18 Photographer Frank Liu captured the dramatic moment a massive crocodile tore apart a gazelleCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Liu was observing a group of four crocs in Kenya’s Maasai Mara game reserve when the action unfoldedCredit: Barcroft Media
18 The colossal beast flipped its prey over three times, tossing it around like a rag dollCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Finally, the croc split the gazelle in two before a smaller crocodile made off with the other halfCredit: Barcroft Media
After observing four crocodiles for just 10 minutes, the 25-year-old was fortunate enough to witness the action unfold.
He said: “The whole event lasted for a little less than a minute – but the flipping of the gazelle happened in a matter of seconds.
“The croc flipped the gazelle for a total of three times along with the famous crocodile death roll, before splitting the gazelle in half so that it could swallow.
“The other small croc by him ended up successfully taking the other half of the gazelle which fell out his mouth when it was split.”
Frank said could not believe what he was seeing at the time of the attack.
But he forced himself concentrate to capture the action in a series of stunning photos.
“While the croc was destroying the gazelle I felt joy – not from watching the gazelle being violently torn in half, but from pure enjoyment of living in the moment and witnessing nature at its finest,” he said.
“From that point onward my focus shifted toward adjusting my camera settings, composition and capturing the moment.
“It was only after we left the site that a heavy feeling sank in and lasted for the rest of the day.
“I do recognise it is part of nature, so I was more in awe that I was able to witness the scene with my own eyes.”
18 Liu travelled through the Maasai Mara for seven days , photographing the incredible wildlifeCredit: Barcroft Media
18 The photographer described moving in closer after seeing a pride of lionsCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Liu captured this image of two male lions who woke up from their naps, yawned, stood up and walked past his vehicleCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Liu also saw a mother cheetah scouting for prey amongst a herd of gazellesCredit: Barcroft Media
18 The cheetah’s young played hide and seek under the photographer’s car as she huntedCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Liu said his favourite image was of a herd of wildebeests on the burnt soil landCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Liu said his family were very happy to see the incredible photos he took on his tripCredit: Barcroft Media
Frank journeyed through the Maasai Mara for seven days and managed to photograph some of the other amazing wildlife.
He said: “We spotted a pride of lions and moved closer in for a shooting distance – these two male lions woke up from their naps, yawned, stood up and walked between our vehicles.
“We also followed a mother cheetah, of three, as she was scouting for her next prey amongst a herd of gazelles.
“Her young ones were playing hide and seek where one would keep hiding behind or under our car.
“But my favourite photo from this project is the one with the escaping wildebeests on the burnt soil land – I love the simplicity of this photograph.”
18 A water buffalo poses for the camera in the Maasai Mara game reserve in KenyaCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Liu captured this image of a warthog walking through the bushes in the national parkCredit: Barcroft Media
18 A number of wildebeest gather together to cross a river streamCredit: Barcroft Media
18 A mammoth hippo peers from the top of the water in the direction of the cameramanCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Frank surpassed his initial goal of achieving three ‘special’ pictures out of the setCredit: Barcroft Media
18 A leopard stalks its prey in the Maasai Mara game reserve, KenyaCredit: Barcroft Media
18 Two giraffes stand tall in the distance against the stunning backdrop of the African sunsetCredit: Barcroft Media
Frank surpassed his initial goal of achieving three “special” pictures in this particular set.
“My family were very happy to see the original photos I brought back from the trip, but I haven’t showed them my final pieces yet,” he added.
“I am hoping to surprise them with framed prints eventually so they can place them around their home.
“My next project will most likely be opening a blog to share some of the behind-the-scenes stories from this wildlife experience.”