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Hakuna Matata

'Hakuna Matata' say these animals as they find themselves in the most surreal situations in the African wilderness
PUBLISHED: 21:01 GMT, 4 August 2013 | UPDATED: 21:01 GMT, 4 August 2013

In the remote African savannah, as the sun sets, two tall trees stand proud - and straining only slightly under the weight of an elephant tip-toeing across a tight rope strung between them.
Meanwhile, nearby, dust blows along a dirt track kicked up by a giraffe dancing elegantly but precariously along on a star spangled beach ball.
These mind-bending pictures show how one artist imagines the ways that some of Africa's most iconic wildlife spend their time when no-one's looking.
Surreal savannah scenes: Two trees bend only slightly under the strain as an elephant balances precariously on one leg on a tight-rope tied between them
Surreal savannah scenes: Two trees bend only slightly under the strain as an elephant balances precariously on one leg on a tight-rope tied between them
A giraffe prances on a star-spangled beach ball

... while a zebra floats away courtesy of a helium balloon
The real life of African animals? The creator of these images says they show what the continent's wildlife might get up to when no-one is looking
Two giraffes prove that, even in a state of nature, there's no escaping the laundry...
Two giraffes prove that, even in a state of nature, there's no escaping the laundry...
Waiting their turn: Eschewing most people's expectations of the behaviour of animals in the wild, two zebra line up to relieve themselves in the privacy of a handy portaloo
Waiting their turn: Eschewing most people's expectations of the behaviour of animals in the wild, two zebra line up to relieve themselves in the privacy of a handy portaloo
The lighthearted series, created by photographer Thomas Subtil, from Paris, France, feature animals living by the popular Swahili motto 'Hakuna Matata', meaning 'no worries'.
The surreal artworks are composed of pictures he took while travelling in Kenya combined with his imagination to transform them into surreal new realities.
 
    Mr Subtil told My Modern Met that the concept behind the pictures is the 'real life of African wild animals' - at least as far as he imagines it.
    The striking black and white compositions present a range of surreal moments: giraffes hanging their laundry out to dry; a zebra floating through the air with a balloon tied to his tail; and a series of animals standing one atop the other, piggy back-style with an elephant at the bottom.
    Already the recipient of several prizes for his work, Mr Subtil is described by French photography website Ufunk as one of a 'new wave of uninhibited photographers who appropriate with ease the art of photography and the new techniques of digital retouching.'
    You can see more of Thomas Subtil's work on his website www.thomassubtil.com
    But faced with a long trek to the nearest water closet, this impala decides he can't wait... what an animal
    But faced with a long trek to the nearest water closet, this impala decides he can't wait... what an animal
    These giraffes have their heads in the clouds: Photographer Thomas Subtil composed the series of digitally manipulated pictures around the Swahili phrase 'Hakuna Matata', meaning 'no worries'
    These giraffes have their heads in the clouds: Photographer Thomas Subtil composed the series of digitally manipulated pictures around the Swahili phrase 'Hakuna Matata', meaning 'no worries'`
    This way boy... While humans have never managed to domesticate the zebra, this image shows that giraffes have nonetheless kept up their efforts
    This way boy... While humans have never managed to domesticate the zebra, this image shows that giraffes have nonetheless kept up their efforts
    Mr Subtil's surreal artworks are composed of pictures he took while travelling in Kenya combined with his imagination to transform them into surreal new realities
    Mr Subtil's surreal artworks are composed of pictures he took while travelling in Kenya combined with his imagination to transform them into surreal new realities
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