This is the incredible moment a pair of bloodied tigers slashed each other with their claws in a dramatic fight over territory.
In the thick of it: This is the incredible moment a pair of bloodied tigers slashed each other with their claws in dramatic fight over territory
Believing it to be dead, the tiger released its opponent from its jaws but instead of the fight coming to a grizzly end, the two broke out in a second, even more savage struggle.
Rumble in the jungle: The two tigers come face to face, although the bigger tiger on the right won the bloody battle. The clash erupted after one of the tigers delivered a vicious blow to the neck of its rival
Paws for thought: The nasty clash of these two furry titans was captured at the world famous ‘Tiger Canyons’ in the Londolozi private game reserve in Pretoria, South Africa
‘The male tigers we had been observing the day before were in the water hidden by reeds, one had bitten the other on the throat and they both remained still for several minutes.
‘It was horrific to see, the tigers were covered in mud, blood and water we could see them both breathing heavily because of the cold air.
‘One of the tigers assumed his rival to be dead and it stopped biting but the bitten tiger saw his chance to escape and save his own life.
‘All of a sudden a spectacular fight for life and death began, again and again the males clawed at each other.
All claws and teeth: One of the tigers seems to get the upper hand during their vicious clash. The tigers were covered in mud, blood and water in the battle
Giving the evils: The two bloodied combatants stare each other down before resuming their ferocious encounter in a battle of territory
Raw power: While both fighters were up to the task, after 45 minutes of fighting a winner emerged – and it was the significantly stronger and younger male
Injured: ‘The roaring was unbelievably loud, everyone who was there watching was clearly scared and I will never forget those sounds,’ Vollborn said
‘The roaring was unbelievably loud, everyone who was there watching was clearly scared and I will never forget those sounds.
Difficult situation: Vollborn said, ‘For a photographer it’s spectacular to see something like this, but as an animal lover it makes it very hard to watch’
Finishing off: One of the tigers seems to have the upper hand as the other lies bloodied and submissive. Both have now recovered from their wounds