A giraffe with a broken neck has proved its survival instinct after surviving for five years with a zig-zag spine.
The Masai giraffe was discovered by photographer Mark Drysdale whilst on safari in the Serengeti in Tanzania.
A guide explained that the giraffe had survived the horrific accident without any medical attention - only to be left with the wonky neck.
Mr Drysdale, 53, who has been a fulltime professional wildlife photographer and guide for eight years, said: "I have never seen anything like it!
"But the other animals treated it as if it were completely normal and the giraffe seemed to be quite happy."
Male giraffes sometimes fight each other in vicious battles for the attention of females.
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They stand side by side - pushing each other to prove who is strongest - but if they break their necks they normally die.
The Masai giraffe is the tallest species of giraffe and males can measure up to 19ft - making them the tallest animal on the planet.
Mr Drysdale said: "Whilst I was guiding clients in the Serengeti we were introduced to this giraffe by one of the local guides, who has known the animal for five years.
"The animal had broken its neck whilst fighting five to six years before and had remained in the area - where there are no conservation centres or vets - ever since.
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"I found it strange and it was the first time I had seen such a deformity but he seemed to be in good health.
"Although males generally take food from higher up trees than females by stretching to their full length, this guy was unable to do that.
"He just ate at the lower levels where there was more than enough food available!"
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