Photographer captures the moment a black wolf attacks in a brutal show of dominance

• A large black wolf has been photographed attacking a small grey wolf in northern Bavaria
• The vicious looking animal is pictured pouncing on top of his victim at a zoo in Germany 
• The wolves are 'extremely active' in early summer and fights for status are common      

By Sarah Dean For Mailonline

Published: 21 June 2016

The glaring eyes and snarling teeth say it all - this timber wolf is top-dog.

The grey wolf, smaller and far less aggressive than his blacker counterpart, rolls over in submission to avoid a full-on fight he knew he would lose.

For the junior grey wolf that happened to stray into the wrong part of the forest that day, it was lucky that the submissive display was enough for the timber wolf to let him slink away unharmed.

German photographer Ingo Gerlach, 63, managed to capture the display of dominance from the safety of a security fence at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park in northern Bavaria.

Top dog: The large black wolf was photographed pinning down his victim in Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park in northern Bavaria, Germany

He said: 'The wolves in this park have a wonderful space for themselves.

'It's also fantastic for photographers, as it's possible to get down to their eye-level and take photographs with nothing blocking the view.

'In early summer, and especially before feeding, the wolves are extremely active and fights for status are common.

'But in this instance, as soon as the timber wolf bared his teeth, the grey wolf rolled onto his back and waved his tail.

'If he hadn't yielded to the alpha male so fast then the grey wolf could have had some serious injuries.

'Instead, the hierarchy was very quickly established and the timber wolf went back to being completely relaxed, barely paying attention to the grey wolf.'

Snarling: In a terrifying show of aggression, the wolves at the zoo flash their teeth and claw at each other as they fight for dominance 

Submission: The lighter coloured wolf eventually gives in as it realises this is one fight it's not going to win 

Leader of the pack: German photographer Ingo Gerlach, 63, managed to capture the display of dominance at the wildlife park from the safety of a security fence

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