Incredible moment zebra is swallowed whole by a monster crocodile among stunning scenes snapped in nature photo contest

 THIS is the incredible moment a zebra is swallowed whole by a monster crocodile.

The shocking snap is one of 10 beautiful scenes selected for a wildlife photography contest of Kenya's serene Maasai Mara savannahs.

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A photographer captured the moment a croc snaps its jaws on a whole zebraCredit: mediadrumimages.com/MarkvanKints

The huge reptile pokes its jaws out of the water with an entire bloodied zebra in its mouth moments before certain death.

The waters are stained red and the zebra appears to kick its hooves and waggle its head in a last desperate attempt to break free.

How the zebra was lured off land into the waters by the croc is unknown but it's safe to say it didn't stand a chance.

The winning image of the action-packed competition series shows a similarly hopeless scenario where a lion pounces on a young hippopotamus.The lion is about the tear its teeth into the hippo's chest as the photographer snaps their shutter.

Another stunning photograph of the top 10 contenders of The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographers of the Year shows a lioness chasing a running wildebeest.

The winner of this competition will win $10,000 (£8,500) and a five-night safari.

“The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographers of the Year competition was started to raise funds for boots-on-the-ground conservation initiatives,” said the competition runners.

“The best entries of each year will be exhibited at events across the globe raising further awareness of the Maasai Mara along with the incredible photographers who have captured it.”

The Photographer of The Year will be decided from among fifty finalists.

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A hippo's last moments captured as a lion digs his teeth into its chestCredit: mediadrumimages.com/HarryCollins

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A lioness chases after a wildebeestCredit: mediadrumimages.com/PaoloTorchio

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A lion and a wildebeest are neck and neck in fight to the deathCredit: mediadrumimages.com/AlistairSmit

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A herd of a species of antelope called Topi graze in the mistCredit: mediadrumimages.com/RizJiwa

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A trio of cheetahs claim a rock in the grasslands authoritativelyCredit: mediadrumimages.com/PaoloTorchio

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This stunning shot shows two elephants up close in minute detailCredit: mediadrumimages.com/RodneyBursie

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Three impalas stand guard over the herd during a rainstormCredit: mediadrumimages.com/IvanGlaser

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And in a more heart-warming shot, a female and male lion nuzzle upCredit: mediadrumimages.com/PhilippeHenr

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Two giraffes in the rain were captured using the diffraction of light from a car window with an adapted lensCredit: mediadrumimages.com/JoseFragozo

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