LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish. The photographs, taken off the coast of Isla Mujeres, near Cancun, Mexico, show how these water creatures work cooperatively to cut off a portion of a school of sardines swimming close to the seafloor, and drive them to the surface. American photographer Doug Perrine, 60, managed to capture the moment the sailfish manage to herd the bait into a tightly packed ball, ready to pick off for dinner one-by-one. ‘The sailfish took-turns swimming through the bait ball slashing with their bills to kill the fish, which are quickly gobbled up,’ Doug said. ‘Sometimes they light up or change to a bright colour pattern.
BURSTING from the water, a beautiful but deadly Sumatran tiger jumps for food in an Indonesian zoo .
RACING through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles .
WIDE EYED with a huge smile across her face, this little elephant is a picture of happiness .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
With stunning scenery and otherworldly vistas, Iceland’s rural beauty is inescapable – especially for Hollywood .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
A family of foster carers are facing bankruptcy and homelessness after they signed up to a Government scheme to renovate their house to be used for disabled children's short breaks .
Sprawled out on top of a log, this sleeping leopard takes a relaxing break from his daily routine .
This longhorn beetle demon-strates a dark side as it looks just like the devil .
A brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
An American black bear mimics John Travolta’s famous Saturday Night Fever dance move by hurling its arm in the air .
A SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .