A helpless calf found itself at the centre of a dramatic stand-off between its herd and a pair of hungry lionesses.
Relaxing: Elephants seen playing in the mud with a young elephant in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, on September 18
Predatory: The keen-eyed lions draw ever closer to the baby elephant, as the herd of elephants gather force to stand up to them
Dramatic entrance: The lions scatter as an adult elephant arrives on the scene, desperate to protect the calf and help it to safety
After making their first attack, the lions injured the calf. But the adult elephants heard is cries of distress and came rushing to the rescue.
Watch and wait: The hungry lioness watches on as an adult elephant tries to help the injured baby calf to safety, in a tense stand-off
Inevitable: But the lions are victorious and attack the baby elephant, which has become weakened by the onslaught and unable to escape
However, a female member of the herd did try to help the young elephant – but to no avail.
Team work: The lions work together to bring down the baby elephant, which is by now exhausted, and earn themselves a full meal
Victory: More lions gather to enjoy the feast that the two lionesses have brought. They keep a keen eye on their surroundings to make sure no other predators attempt to take their meal
Gruesome: The victorious lions feed on their catch, after the elephants give up trying to save the baby and move away back into the park
Satisfied: A lioness is seen resting on the banks of the river, enjoying her full belly after the exhausting effort of the hunt
Devastating loss: The herd of elephants move away into the national park after the dramatic stand-off, having lost their calf to the lions