In a dramatic scene in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, a herd of elephants came together to rescue a young calf from a group of lionesses.
British photographer James Gifford documented the tense moment when a lioness targeted the lone calf, attempting to bring it down.
The lioness was seen stalking the young elephant before launching herself onto its back. However, she lacked the strength to overpower the calf on her own.
Just as more lions arrived to assist, the situation took a turn—an entire herd of elephants appeared, coming to the calf’s defense.
James Gifford described the moment: “When I saw the elephant herd approaching, the lions stayed low. It didn’t seem like the elephants noticed or saw the lions as a threat.”
The lions waited for the adult elephants to pass before two lionesses saw their chance and attacked the isolated calf.
“The youngster was terrified, and though one lioness managed to get on its back, she couldn’t bring it down alone. A second lioness arrived about 10 seconds later, but by then, the chance to take down the calf had passed,” Gifford explained.
The calf quickly ran back toward the herd’s safety. When it got close enough—about 20 meters away—the lionesses abandoned their attack, knowing they would risk injury if they ventured any closer to the adult elephants.
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