These dramatic pictures capture a group of hungry crocodiles as they try to outwit a herd of impala before one manages to snap up a baby 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.

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

‘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.

‘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.

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

Eating alone: Not wanting to share its hard-earned meal, the crocodile is seen dragging the impala to a nearby watering hole to eat