Horrific pictures show marabou ripping defenceless flamingo to shreds

These dramatic pictures show the horrific moment a blood-thirsty marabou attacked a defenceless flamingo, ripping the bird to shreds.

The shocking snaps show the large marabou stork preying on the tiny pink flamingo, before going in for the kill.

The defenceless flamingo was tossed around like a ragdoll by the vicious marabou, before he finally delivered the final blow.

Photographer Ingo Gerlach caught the horrific scenes on camera at Lake Bogoria in Kenya.

He said: “I saw one sick flamingo, who was obviously quite limited in his movement – and a marabou lurking nearby.

“The marabou launched directly at the flamingo – the flamingo was desperate to get away, but the marabou was faster and pounced on the flamingo from behind.

“The flamingo tried to run away, but he didn’t stand a chance.

“Desperate and with an enormous effort, he tried to escape the dagger-like blows of the marabou’s beak.

“The marabou struck repeatedly, grabbing the flamingo round the neck with his beak to kill him – the flamingo was clearly weakened and his defence was declining rapidly.

“The marabou threw the helpless bird into the air, then pushed him underwater.

“A last gasp came from the flamingo before the marabou dealt the mortal blow.

“The greedy stork then tore at the flamingo and devoured him with relish.

“After a short time the marabou flew on, with his next victim in his sights.

“It was so exciting to be able to capture this dramatic scene on camera.”