Scanning the surface of the water, her amber eyes alight upon a threat to her pride – a deadly crocodile lurking in the river that the family of lions must cross.
The lioness’ brave diversion tactics were witnessed by wildlife photographer Pia Dierickx, who said the creature moved with such incredible speed she did not realise what had happened until she looked back at the pictures on her camera.
Watchful: The lioness can be seen surveying the water as her pride waits to cross the river in Botswana’s Okavango Delta
Lurking: The lioness spots the giant crocodile’s head partially submerged in the waters of the river
Menace: The lioness bares her enormous fangs after spotting the crocodile in the river in Botswana
Spring: The lioness springs from the water and into action as she prepares to battle to protect her cubs from the lurking crocodile
Head to head: The photographer who captured these images said the struggle took place within a split second
Protective: The lioness succeeds in forcing the crocodile beneath the water
Escape: Seizing her moment while the reptile is under the water, the lioness makes a break for dry land
Escape: The lioness emerges safely on the other side of the river after bravely battling the crocodile to protect her pride
Diversion: As the lioness struggled with the lurking reptile, the rest of the pride were able to cross the river in safety
Battle wounds: The lioness was left bleeding after the crocodile clamped its jaws around her mouth