Wounded hippo fights off five lions

A wildlife ranger has captured dramatic footage of a wounded hippopotamus fighting off five adult lions. Field guide, Daniel Bailey, positioned his camera just metres away from the attack in the middle of the MalaMala Game Reserve, in South Africa.

As the giant hippo tried to find its way to a limited supply of water, two male lions just happened to be sleeping on the ridge line above.

With the hippo racing around, the male lions were alerted and called for their pride as three lionesses quickly approached the scene, along with four of their cubs. The adult predators went to work and tried to take the distressed hippo down by biting and clawing at its back.

Described as 'never-before-seen action', it seems as though the hungry pride bit off more than it could chew on this occasion, as the hippo battled to safety.