These funny snaps captured the moment when a wild impala got a head massage from an oxpecker - and pulled some seriously funny faces.

 The photos, taken in South Africa's Kruger National Park, show the impala twisting and turning its as the talented oxpecker works its magic. Zoologist and wildlife photographer Mogens Trolle, from Denmark, snapped the incredible moment earlier this year.

He said: 'I've never seen anything like it! 'The way the impala was reacting was so funny - he seemed to be really enjoying it. 'Everyone who was there was laughing - the faces he pulled were absolutely hysterical.'

Mr Trolle, 46, and says he was amazed to see human characteristics in the impala's behaviour. Mr Trolle said: 'It really cheered me up! Yes, it was a hilarious moment but it was great to see animals interacting as humans do.


'The pictures look great and I'm really proud looking back at them.'

The red-billed oxpecker is a common sight on the plains of sub-Saharan Africa, where they often spend their day perched on large wild mammals.
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“Leopard Befriends Impala: Unusual Predator-Prey Interaction Caught on Camera,”

The bizarre interaction filmed in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, sees the baby animal nuzzling the  cat's nose and mouth as it lazes in a clearing.

And even when the leopard starts playing a little rough, the newborn makes no attempt to leave - and even follows it around.

The encounter was filmed by game ranger Estiaan Houy, 31, while out on safari with British and American guests. He said: “In all my years of being a game ranger I have never seen such an encounter, nor do I ever expect to see a repeat of it again.


“I felt amazed and honoured to see such a rare and unexplainable sighting."The impala at no stage showed any signs of distress or fear. Every time the leopard would playfully interact with the baby impala, it would return to the leopard and either sniff its face or push its head against the leopard's face.
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An impala has been captured on camera sensationally escaping two cheetahs - by leaping into a car full of tourists.

The terrified animal appeared to be a seconds from death when an unexpected window of opportunity appeared.

Samantha Pittendrigh, 20, filmed as the impala leapt through the passenger-side window of a Toyota Prado.

She said: "We started freaking out going crazy. We couldn't believe it - we were absolutely dumbstruck.

"We watched the cheetah chasing the impala. We saw a few of them turn around in the bushes towards the road they were running from.

"All of a sudden we saw the impala jump out of the bushes and then someone started screaming 'it is in the car, it is in the car'.
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