Heartbreaking Scene: Young Elephant Calf Separated from Herd and Attacked by Lions as Adults Defend Desperately

A helpless calf found itself at the centre of a dramatic stand-off between its herd and a pair of hungry lionesses.

This stunning series of photographs, taken in the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, captures the moment the herd of elephants desperately tried to protect their calf.

Two herds of elephants had been drinking from the water, when the baby elephant appeared to become separated from the rest of the group as it tried to cross the Mwagusi River.

But two keen-eyed lionesses were quickly on the hu.nt, drawing ever closer to the terrified calf.

Relaxing: Elephants seen playing in the mud with a young elephant in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, on September 18

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

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

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.

Although they tried desperately to help the calf to safety, the baby was too badly injured and couldn’t walk.

After a tense war of wills between the two groups of animals, the lions eventually claimed victory and brought down the exhausted calf.

Tour operator Paul Tickner captured the dramatic scene on September 18.

The 30-year-old said: ‘There were two and then three lions on top of the elephant trying to bring her down.

‘Very quickly the elephant collapsed, seemingly from exhaustion, it looked like it was all over, but I knew the elephant was still alive.

‘The lions were anxious and kept looking around nervously as the calf screamed in alarm.

‘They had done this before and knew the noise could attract elephants nearby.’

Lions have been known to work together to kill fully-sized adult elephants but sightings of the kills are uncommon.

Mother elephants are known to be extremely protective of their young, but it is thought the baby calf’s parent was too far away to help.

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

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

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.

Paul, who was born in Reading, UK, said: ‘Soon enough, a small group of females did come to the calves aid, chasing the lions off.

‘Heartbreakingly the adult female did all she could to bring the calf to its feet. In frustration and fear the adult elephant turned away as the calf appeared forlorn.

‘Agonisingly the lions, now in full terrifying hu.nt mode, approached the calf again.

‘The calf screamed out in desperation, the adult female spun around on her heels and again chased the lions off, who this time made a hasty retreat in respect of the elephants’ awesome size.

‘Through a combination of panic, disorientation and injuries to its legs, the calf could not get back to its feet.

‘Fatally for the calf, its mother had already moved off out of earshot.

‘Sensing the hopelessness of the situation the adult elephant finally left and the calf suffered its fate.

‘If it had been the mother it would never have left so quickly, such is the bond between mother elephants and they’re young.’

Team work: The lions work together to bring down the baby elephant, which is by now exhausted, and earn themselves a full meal

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

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

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

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 h.u.n.t

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

By: dailymail.co.uk

Related Posts

Team-Level Fanatic: Bills Star Shows Off Giant Tattoo of Josh Allen’s Portrait, Shocking Fans

Josh Allen tattoo (Photo via Twitter) Dion Dawkins has taken his love for Josh Allen to another level. The Buffalo Bills offensive lineman is tasked with protecting his quarterback at all times, and now he is making sure he knows that he has his back …

Read more

Travis and Jason Kelce spark controversy after bold statement about Pope

By JAKE NISSE Published: 14:08 BST, 14 May 2025 | Updated: 15:35 BST, 14 May 2025 Travis and Jason Kelce have risked angering Catholics after they had a crass discussion about Pope Leo XIV’s  celibacy. The newly-elected head of the Catholic Church, who …

Read more

Jelly Roll left the entire Cowboys stadium speechless with an unexpected taunt.

Jelly Roll and Post Malone (Photo via Twitter) Even during the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys cannot catch a break from being made fun of. The latest incident was Jelly Roll taking a swipe at them during a concert at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys’ home …

Read more

Salimos a caminar y volvimos millonarios”: el increíble hallazgo que dejó a todos sin palabras

Encontrar monedas sueltas nunca había sido tan lucrativo. Un par de excursionistas en Chequia se llevaron la lotería tras encontrar un alijo de monedas de oro y joyas con un valor de más de 300.000 dólares, que algunos historiadores especulan que podrían haber sido ocultadas a propósito…

Read more

‘The Debt Not Forgotten’ – Ravens’ $100M Superstar Sends Icy Ultimatum to Josh Allen Ahead of Week 1 Big Battle

The Baltimore Ravens discovered their official 2025 schedule on Wednesday, and the franchise is in for a tough game right at the start. Lamar Jackson’s team will play the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, in a rematch of last season’s AFC Divisional Round that …

Read more

Patrick Mahomes Makes a Splash When He Appears With Beer in Hand at All-Star Charity Event in Las Vegas

By ERIC BLUM Published: 21:38 BST, 15 May 2025 | Updated: 21:38 BST, 15 May 2025 Patrick Mahomes was seen sipping a beer poolside as he and his wife Brittany Mahomes welcomed plenty of stars to his poolside Las Vegas charity event on Thursday.  The Kansas …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *