Lion Bites Off More Than It Can Chew: Protective Buffalo Mother Charges to Save Her Calf from Hungry Predator. That’s what you get for messing with my kids!

This is the incredible moment a baby buffalo managed to escape certain death after being taken down by two lions.

Seen struggling for its life, the poor creature is pictured being pinned to the ground while the huge predators sink their teeth into its neck.

South African photographer Jay van Rensburg caught the moment that lions attacked a buffalo calf – but got more than they bargained for

Brave: An adult female lunges for the lion that pinned down her calf, forcing the big cat to leap out of the way

Caring: The buffalo herd help the dazed and wounded calf to its feet once the lions have been chased away

Spotted on the plains of the Kruger National Park, the young calf is seen wearily getting to its feet as the unlucky lions are chased away.

Jay said: ‘My heart started racing as I made my way along the road closer to where the action was but I managed to grab my camera and position the vehicle.

Prowling: The two lions eye up their prey as nervous buffalo look on

Fearsome: One of the lions springs into action, scattering the buffalo herd, which kicks up a huge cloud of dust

Target: The buffalo calf is picked out as lunch by two male lions, which cause a stampede when they attack

Desperate: The lion looks to have the upper hand as the adult buffalo run past in a bid for safety

South African photographer Jay van Rensburg snapped the epic struggle on the plains of the Kruger National Park

Double trouble: The second lion joins in the fray, with the helpless buffalo brought to the ground

The odds aren’t looking good: The young buffalo is pinned down

Counter-attack: Just when it looks like the young buffalo’s fate is sealed, several adults turn around and confront the lions

Brave: This female buffalo makes her displeasure known to the lion, which desperately clings on to its prey

Victorious: The buffalo herd gather around the young animal and help it stand up

Sentry duty: A buffalo bull stares at the lion after their epic battle and keeps it at bay

Weary: The calf is comforted by one of the herd after being mauled by the lions

‘As the herd stampeded away from the fast approaching lion, the young buffalo fell behind and in one swift movement, the lion leapt onto the young buffalo.

‘It could be that the two lions had made an earlier unsuccessful attack on the young buffalo as it looked as if the attacking lion knew exactly who his target was.