An elusive zebra managed to escape from the jaws of a hungry crocodile, only to be attacked by a leopard waiting on the shore.
The zebra became lunch for both beasts in Kanya’s Massai Mara nature reserve, and the extraordinary hunt was captured by photographer Ingo Gerlach.
The majestic animal, together with another zebra, first escaped from the clutches of the enormous crocodile in the Mara River before running headfirst into the waiting leopard.
The pair split their hard-earned catch before the crocodile headed back to the river and the leopard approached the shoreline for a drink.
Gerlach said: ‘A large herd of zebras were already waiting to cross the river but at this point, the water was swarming with crocodiles.
‘The zebras spotted them but they had no choice but to cross so after a while they went into the river at a fast gallop – most of them arrived with no problems.
‘I saw one get caught but with its last strength, she managed to rescue herself onto the rocky riverbank and collapsed in shock.
‘Just at that moment, a male leopard appeared and, considering its injuries, the zebra had no chance.
‘The wild cat attacked its neck to suffocate it and by the time it had taken it down, the crocodile reappeared to share the catch.’