Stunning snap of menacing hippo grimacing above water among entries for wildlife photo contest

A MENACING hippo grimaces above water in a picture entered for a wildlife photo contest.

The beast, eager to protect its young, was snapped on the Chobe River in central Africa.

The moment was captured by photographer Eiko Hariu.

Among the other 1,500 entries was one of an inquisitive lemon shark.

The Water Water Everywhere competition saw two winners share first place.

No1 showed a polar bear shaking itself off after a cool dip.

A happy-looking hippo in swirling water was the second.

It was held in aid of wildlife conservation charity Pangolin Africa.

The group aims to protect pangolins, the most trafficked species in Africa.

Their scales are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Organiser Toby Jermyn said: "We had a dead heat for first prize which is pretty unusual!

“I decided they were both going to win."