The moment a baby hippo fights off a lion accidentally caught the photographer’s lens in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Kruger National Park is located in northeastern South Africa and it is one of Africa’s largest nature reserves. This national park has 5 wild species including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and wild buffalo concentrated in the largest numbers.

Initially, the hippo mother and child strayed into a swamp on the riverbank and the mother hippo got stuck there, unable to move.

A lion nearby, after lying down and observing carefully, stood up and approached the mother and baby hippo pair.

Lions usually do not dare to attack adult hippos alone, because although this animal has a large appearance, it moves very quickly, aggressively, and has sharp teeth. However, a hippo straying into a mud puddle and not being able to get out is an opportunity not to be missed for a lion.

The lion rushed forward and bit the hippo.

But despite trying to attack the mother hippo many times, the lion was always chased away by the baby hippo.

Not long after the photographer took these photos, the mother hippo passed away. Because the baby hippo was too young to take care of itself, it also died 2 days later.