When describing elephants we often discuss their gentle nature, superior intelligence and incredible range of emotions. Rarely though do we consider their aggression. This is in part due to how infrequently we see such a display from the world’s largest land mammal.

Once a year though, male elephants enter a period of ‘musth’, during which their testosterone levels go through the roof and they attempt to broadcast their viability as a partner to as many cow elephants as possible.

Bulls tend to have their first period of musth around the age of 30, it doesn’t last long, perhaps a few days, but as they grow older these periods last longer each time. A bull in musth is a totally different animal and fights between rival males can be staggering. As this one was. Two 6 tonne animals fighting like this is an incredible sight, particularly when in a swamp and water droplets explode and dance around their straining bodies.

It was without doubt the fiercest clash between elephants I’ve ever seen, and perhaps may never have a moment like it again. If this collection were a festival, I would happily declare this my headliner.

As with all images in this collection, 10% of the proceeds from this image will be split between David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Saving The Wild, my two partnered charities. It is thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals and organisations like these that I, and many others, are able to still enjoy the incredible wildlife Africa has to offer. It is imperative to me therefore, that my images are able to help them achieve their missions and amplify their message.