Photographer Wim Van Dan Heever’s Images Capture Chases And Fights In The Animal Kingdom

These breath-taking photographs reveal the everyday lives of animals living in the wild. The incredible images were taken by wildlife photographer Wim van den Heever, from Pretoria, South Africa, during trips to locations including Japan, Botswana and Svalbard. The 43-year-old has been photographing wildlife since he was a young boy and turned his passion for animals into a career and set up ODP Safaris in 2006.

1
This cheetah closes in on a springbok in the set of stunning wildlife photographs by Wim van Den Heever. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

More info: Wim van den Heever, Tusk Photo (h/t: dailymail)

2
It’s difficult to tell whether this is a serious fight or just some fooling around by a pair of polar bears. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

3
A pack of elephants wander the plains with the backdrop of a truly enchanting red sky above. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

4
This group of dolphins decide to have some fun in the surf, and of course the stunning scene was captured by Wim. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

5
Eagles put on a somewhat aggressive show for the photographer, talons at the ready. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

6
The lion is usually the hunter, but in this scene it’s the prey that seems to have the upper hand. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

7
This shot of a seal bull swinging an octopus around is something you won’t see everyday. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

8
The grey of the rhino shimmers in the waters in a spectacular night shot. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

9
This old bull elephant dust baths on an open plain. It’s easy to see why photographer Wim has turned his passion for animals into a career. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

10
The humpback whale thrusts its head out of the water in an enchanting photograph. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

11
The incredible images were taken by wildlife photographer Wim van den Heever, from Pretoria, South Africa, during trips to locations including Japan, Botswana and Svalbard. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

12
Wim has travelled across the globe to photograph wild animals – from lions and tigers, to elephants, dolphins and eagles and leopards, such as this. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

13
The outline of the elephant shimmers in the water, only interrupted by the beautiful sunset. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

14
A baby elephant takes a tumble in the mud, but thankfully there are enough other elephants to help out. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

15
It’s thirsty work being a lion in the wild, with this group of five having a drink of water together. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

16
Zebras crossing! This animal looks as thought it’s spotted the camera and so gives Wim his best look. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

17
The cheetah takes aim as it closes in on dinner of springbok on the plain. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

18
Wim captures an amazing image of a dolphin silhouetted against a rough sea. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

19
The 43-year-old has been photographing wildlife since he was a young boy and turned his passion for animals into a career and set up ODP Safaris in 2006. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

20
Wim set up ODP Safaris which specialises in photographic travel to a hand-picked selection of international destinations. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

21
The photographer describes his profession as being more of a lifestyle than a hobby, taking in some truly wondrous sights. (Wim van Den Heever / Mercury Press / The Daily Mail)

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

September 18: This Day in Photos from the Past

"Spain: System Error" – Spanish Photographer Marc Femenia Captures The Aftermath Of Spanish Construction Bubble

Photographer Matthew Christopher Captures This Abandoned Theater Act As A Time Capsule Of A Location That Was Once Rocked By The Stars

This Iranian Photographer Takes Astonishing Macro Shots of Insects

Stunning Award-Winning Photos from the 2025 Epson International Pano Awards

Brazilian Illustrator Tullius Heuer Brings Images To Life

"The Call Of The Void": Polish Photographer Lukasz Palka Captures Streets Of Tokyo

"Wilhelm Brasse’ Mugshots": Photographer Took Up To 50,000 Chilling Photos In Auschwitz For The Nazis During World War II

Amazing Travel Photos From Around The World By Travis Bruke

Japanese Harry Potter Flies Around The World's Most Iconic Landmarks On A Broomstick

Photographer Took 12 Pics Of Regular Chinese People To Stop Prejudice And Show That They’re Like All Of Us

The Mysterious Woman Who Ticking Military Men Under Their Chins While Taking Pictures in the Photo Booth in the 1940s

Purrfect Moments: A Glimpse into Tehran’s Street Cats in Charming Cat-otographs by Akbar Mehrinezhad

Breathtaking Winning Photos from the 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year

Cool Photos Defined Fashion Styles of Young People in the 1970s

The Winners Of 2021 WildArt Photographer of the Year Motion Competition

Hamster Combat: This Artist Shows The Life Of This Adorable Hamster

Overpopulated Symphonies: The Striking AI Photography Project by Alkan Avcıoğlu

15 Rare Photos Taken With The First Ever Kodak Photo Camera

"Perfect Darkness": Foggy Nights and Melancholy Landscapes in Cinematic Photographs by Henri Prestes

Photographer Caesar Lima Explores The Unusual Beauty Of The Human Body

How Soviet Space Dreams Became A Photographer’s Inspiration

Margarita Nikitaki Takes Claustrophobic Photographs Of Athens’ Cityscapes

Cool Snaps Show What Badass Girls Looked Like In The 1940s

1990s Teenagers and Their Bedrooms Walls - Your Memories and Photographs of Being a Teenager

The 11 Winners Of The Prestigious 2021 Audubon Bird Photography Contest

Belfast in Amazing Rare Color Photographs, 1955

Russian Photographer Captured Wonderful Photos While Visiting The Extraordinary Socotra Island

The Winners of The Historic Photographer of The Year Awards 2021 Have Been Announced

Photographer Luc Kordas Captures The Iconic Coney Island During The Most Vibrant Time