This is the incredible moment an elephant came to the rescue of one of its babies being attacked by a pack of hyenas.
Back off: This is the incredible moment an elephant came to the rescue of one of its babies being attacked by a pack of hyenas
Jayesh said: ‘We heard cries of elephants in distress. On leaving the track and going towards the sounds in the bush we found a group of 12-14 hyenas chasing a herd of around eight elephants.
Protective: As the hyenas begin to surround the elephant, she becomes aggressive in an attempt to protect her young calf which has already been injured
Determined: The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to ward them off its offspring
Snapped: These amazing pictures were captured by American photographer Jayesh Mehta, 47, in the Savuti region of the Chobe National Park in Botswana
Intimidating: The hyenas scattered as the elephant set about protecting its vulnerable calf
Attack: ‘The hyenas were trying to get at the baby – which had already been injured by the time we got there,’ said the photographer
‘The elephants were running hard through the bush. The baby stuck close to the mother and the other elephants tried to stay around the baby as much as possible.
Escape: During the chase, for almost an hour, the elephants managed to shake off the hyenas – but the hyenas found the elephants and the chase resumed. Eventually, the elephants escaped
Safe at last: The elephant calf stays near its parents after the vicious attack