*** VIDEO AVAILABLE ***PIC 16 OF 16KRUGER NATIONAL PARK; SOUTH AFRICA - 12 JANUARY 2015: The lions retreat, hungry and with dented pride on January 12, 2015 at Kruger National Park.A lion bit off more than he could chew when he attacked a hippo calf in Kruger National Park. Two fierce lions attacked a herd of hippos as they emerged from a day of wallowing in the water. One of the beasts leaped on a hippo calf, but the powerful predator was forced to turn tail when confronted by the calf?s angry mother. Photographer Duncan Fraser captured the encounter at Sunset Dam on his way back to camp at dusk.PHOTOGRAPH BY Greatstock / Barcroft MediaUK Office, London.T +44 845 370 2233W www.barcroftmedia.comUSA Office, New York City.T +1 212 796 2458W www.barcroftusa.comIndian Office, Delhi.T +91 11 4053 2429W www.barcroftindia.com
A lion bit off more than he could chew when he attacked a hippo calf in Kruger National Park.
Two fierce lions attacked a herd of hippos as they emerged from a day of wallowing in the water.
One of the beasts leaped on a hippo calf who had become separated from its mother – attempting to bring the struggling baby to the ground.
*** VIDEO AVAILABLE ***PIC 13 OF 16KRUGER NATIONAL PARK; SOUTH AFRICA - 12 JANUARY 2015: The lion bounds up to the helpless hippo calf, January 12, 2015 at Kruger National Park.A lion bit off more than he could chew when he attacked a hippo calf in Kruger National Park. Two fierce lions attacked a herd of hippos as they emerged from a day of wallowing in the water. One of the beasts leaped on a hippo calf, but the powerful predator was forced to turn tail when confronted by the calf?s angry mother. Photographer Duncan Fraser captured the encounter at Sunset Dam on his way back to camp at dusk.PHOTOGRAPH BY Greatstock / Barcroft MediaUK Office, London.T +44 845 370 2233W www.barcroftmedia.comUSA Office, New York City.T +1 212 796 2458W www.barcroftusa.comIndian Office, Delhi.T +91 11 4053 2429W www.barcroftindia.com
But the powerful predator was forced to turn tail when confronted by the calf's angry mother.
The lion and its companion left hungry and with dented pride as both hippos emerged from the incident unscathed.
Photographer Duncan Fraser captured the encounter at Sunset Dam on his way back to camp at dusk.
*** VIDEO AVAILABLE ***PIC 12 OF 16KRUGER NATIONAL PARK; SOUTH AFRICA - 12 JANUARY 2015: The baby hippo is brought to its knees by the assault on January 12, 2015 at Kruger National Park.A lion bit off more than he could chew when he attacked a hippo calf in Kruger National Park. Two fierce lions attacked a herd of hippos as they emerged from a day of wallowing in the water. One of the beasts leaped on a hippo calf, but the powerful predator was forced to turn tail when confronted by the calf?s angry mother. Photographer Duncan Fraser captured the encounter at Sunset Dam on his way back to camp at dusk.PHOTOGRAPH BY Greatstock / Barcroft MediaUK Office, London.T +44 845 370 2233W www.barcroftmedia.comUSA Office, New York City.T +1 212 796 2458W www.barcroftusa.comIndian Office, Delhi.T +91 11 4053 2429W www.barcroftindia.com
Duncan, 23, from Action Photography, said: "The bigger male lion was in front and crouching ready for action.
"Suddenly he pounced up and the surprise caused the adult hippo to split away from the baby.
"Seeing this opportunity he swung around and pounced onto the baby - trying to get a grip and take the baby down.
*** VIDEO AVAILABLE ***PIC 14 OF 16KRUGER NATIONAL PARK; SOUTH AFRICA - 12 JANUARY 2015: The super-sized mum decides to fight back and chases the lion away on January 12, 2015 at Kruger National Park.A lion bit off more than he could chew when he attacked a hippo calf in Kruger National Park. Two fierce lions attacked a herd of hippos as they emerged from a day of wallowing in the water. One of the beasts leaped on a hippo calf, but the powerful predator was forced to turn tail when confronted by the calf?s angry mother. Photographer Duncan Fraser captured the encounter at Sunset Dam on his way back to camp at dusk.PHOTOGRAPH BY Greatstock / Barcroft MediaUK Office, London.T +44 845 370 2233W www.barcroftmedia.comUSA Office, New York City.T +1 212 796 2458W www.barcroftusa.comIndian Office, Delhi.T +91 11 4053 2429W www.barcroftindia.com
"The adult hippo swung around and came back charging at the lion.
"The lion quickly released its grip and decided that it was time to exit the scene.
"The baby hippo and its mother moved off away from the lions into the bushes - it did not appear to have suffered any major injuries from the attack."
