- The elephant was at a watering hole in the South Luangwa National Park when the lionesses attacked
- A tour guide who saw the battle said he thought the elephant was going to be killed in front of him
- Tourists who saw the brave elephant’s escape, later dubbed him Hercules for surviving the battle
This is the nail-biting moment an eight-year-old elephant manages beat off a savage attack by 14 hungry lionesses.
The near-three minute fight – captured on film by safari-goers in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia – shows the feisty herbivore surrounded by predators near a watering hole.
As the lions viciously set about the tusked mammal – who was separated from its herd – they begin taking it in turns to leap on its back and sink their teeth into its body.
Ride along: The elephant tries to keep moving as the lionesses sink in their teeth and claws during the sunset battle in Zambia
I’m slipping! A lioness clings to the back of the elephant and tries to scale his backside as others circle around it
All aboard: The lionesses take it in turns to jump on to the elephants back, while its makes a beeline for the safety of the water
Pack attack: The lionesses overcome the baby elephant, bringing it to its knees in the fight at in South Luangwa National Park
After a lengthy battle, the elephant beats the odds and escapes unscathed. It is seen triumphantly flapping its ears, trumpeting and splashing through the water.
Lets all go swimming: With the watering hole in sight the elephant gains speed as the lionesses make a final attempt to ground it
Home stretch: A stubborn lionesses refuses to let go as the elephant reaches the waters edge, and the cats are faced with a tough decision
Water sports: A lioness clings on for dear life on the elephants back, as other members of the pride scurry back from the waters edge
Come on in the water’s fine: Having seen off its attackers, the elephants turns and gives chase to the scaredy cats
Catch me if you can: The elephant, safe at last, takes a few steps into the watering hole, while the angry lionesses watch on
The hunted becomes the hunter: Refreshed and reinvigorated the elephant emerges from the water and chases one of the lionesses off
SOURCE:::: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article
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