These dramatic pictures show two lions in a dramatic fight for dominance.
Seething with anger, the lions sent fur flying through the air when they came claw to claw in an intense battle.
The snarling lions were clearly in disagreement about something when they began ferociously roaring at one another in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
The fight quickly escalated when one of the lions, clearly deciding enough was enough, launched himself at the other.
Corlette, 43, told reporters: “These lions are two well-known brothers from the Southern Pride of Sabi Sabi.
“I do not know why they were fighting as I arrived just before the action started but I expect they were both trying to assert their dominance.”
“They went full out at each other. Growling, slapping one another until the one male was on the ground, almost being submissive to the other male,” Corlette said.
“I cannot tell you the intensity of their voices and growls they made and the pure force of their fore legs lashing out at one another.”
“I have for years wanted to see two male lions fight – it is not a common sighting and most of times at night and in thick bush.
“This day I got to see this in open area and so close to me. I could feel their anger and force in my blood, it was overwhelming.
“I was very emotional after all was over and also very relieved that not one of them got injured seriously – besides maybe their egos.”
“The fact you can see the emotion on their faces, the brutal force they used to lash out at one another is what I like most about these images.”
Video:
PHOTOS BY CORLETTE WESSELS / CATERS NEWS
Male lions will engage in battle in order to assert dominance. The winner of a fight like this will assert supremacy over the pride. The leader of the pride has the right to mate with the lionesses, while the loser must retreat with his tail between his legs. Watch a video of one such battle below, in which the losing lion was near death… when a buffalo decided to step in.