This is the moment one of the bravest animals in Africa showed why it has so much respect – as it battled a whole pride of lions.
Surrounded: A pride of young lions circle the honey badger which, rather than running in the opposite direction, chooses to stand and confront its giant predators out in the open at the Kwando Concession Park
The honey badger’s tough hide and surprising strength and ferocity made it a tricky customer for the lions who struggled to deliver the killer bite.
Refusing to go down quietly, the honey badger does its best to evade the grip of an attacking lion
Last stand: One of the lions eventually manages to clamp its jaws around the tiny frame of the honey badger. But because of its tough hide the animal continues to put up a fight
‘The honey badgers skin is so though that the ions could not suffocate it or pull it apart – something lions certainly don’t struggle with other less tenacious victims.
Against all odds: The brave honey badger does its best to wriggle free from the lion’s grip in a fight lasting more than 30 minutes
Honey badgers are found all over Africa and India and are known for their intelligence and ferocious attitude even to animals much bigger than them – with documented fights with lions, hyenas and even rhinos