Brave mongoose fights off FOUR lions (video)

Four lions were left with their tails between their legs when a mongoose bravely took on the predators.

Despite being less than 2ft tall, the mongoose growled at the felines - and even bit one on the nose.

The shocking fight began in the Maasai Mara National Park, Kenya, when photographer Jerome Guillaumot came across four young lions surrounding the terrified marsh mongoose.

But it soon became apparent that the small carnivore could handle itself as it avoided each attack by dodging and shouting at the confused cats.

The mongoose managed to flee from the predators into a nearby hole - but remarkably re-emerged to face the bewildered lions.

Jerome, 54 from Montpelier, France, told Barcroft: "She was watching out for the lions that were still around.

"Then against all odds, she ran out of her hiding place and the fight resumed. Why did she take this risk? Impossible to know.

"But she was still fighting fiercely. In some way, the confrontation changed. The lions seemed confused, uncertain what to do."

After bewildering the lions further, the mongoose made its final escape into a covered area unscathed and the predators were left to lick their wounds.

Jerome added: "Of course I was sure at this time that the mongoose would not escape this fight.

"The most extraordinary part of this sequence is the fierce defence of the mongoose and how its determination made it possible for it to face its opponents and eventually escape."

The footage was filmed in September 2011, but has only just been released.

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