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Two enormous elephant seals slugged it out in a battle for territory and a harem of females while being filmed on the shores of South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic.
The footage shows two male southern elephant seals, which can weigh up to 8,800lb (4,000kg) and measure 19ft (5.8m) long, fighting on the beach.
The two seals size each other up, grunting before almost bowing to each other as a prelude to their fight.
As they collide, their rolls of fat ripple and they huff at each other in the cold breeze.
Two enormous elephant seals slugged it out in a battle for territory and a harem of females while being filmed in video on the shores of South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic
The huge beasts collided in a rippling of fat and blubber as they fought to be king of the beach
The two seals eyed each other up and grunted at each other in the cold November air before the fight
It seemed as if they were almost bowing to each other in a pre-battle ritual, although they were really readying themselves for the first blow
Male southern elephant seals, which can weigh up to 4,000 kilograms and measure three metres long. During the breeding season, adrenaline-fuelled males will fight any other male contenders to take control of a beach and the harem of females that come with it
Photographer and filmmaker Richard Sidey, from Wanaka, New Zealand, took this footage. He said: 'One of the seals arrived at the beach, hoping to become the beach-master and gain access to the current beach-master's harem of females'
The cameraman added: 'Being so close to the action and these enormous creatures meant that it's certainly one of those unforgettable moments that stick with me through my career'
Photographer and filmmaker Richard Sidey, from Wanaka, New Zealand, took this footage.
He said: 'One of the seals arrived at the beach, hoping to become the beach-master and gain access to the current beach-master's harem of females.
'The challenger won the fight and claimed the beach.
'This wonderful scene played out right in front me whilst photographing on the island.
'I quickly set up a video camera and then got to work on the stills.
'You can hear my shutter clicking away in the video.
'Being so close to the action and these enormous creatures meant that it's certainly one of those unforgettable moments that stick with me through my career.'
Elephant seals are known for their primal mating habits.
