The fiercely protective lioness sprang into action, grappling with the snake to allow the rest of the pride to safely cross the river.
These photographs capture the beautiful lioness wrapping her front legs around the crocodile’s jaws and submerging it in the water before fleeing towards the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
Struggle: The power and strength of the mighty lioness are clear to see, but the crocodile fights back, clamping its teeth around the big cat’s nose.
The lioness’ brave diversion tactics were witnessed by wildlife photographer Pia Dierickx, who said the creature moved with such incredible speed she did not realize what had happened until she looked back at the pictures on her camera.
The photographer, from Antwerp in Belgium, had been peacefully observing the lioness and her pride going about their business around the river when the sudden clash between the big cat and the crocodile occurred.
The 48-year-old said the struggle took place within one second.
‘I watched a lioness carefully move into the channel, and then there was a huge splash in the water,’ she said.
‘The sequence of six pictures of the real action was taken in one second.
‘Luckily for the lioness, the crocodile did not have an opportunity to do the death roll because her mouth was kept closed between the front legs of the lioness,’ the photographer added.
‘It was only after checking my pictures on the camera viewer that I really realized what I had witnessed. Luckily, the story had a happy ending because all the lionesses and cubs made it safely to the other bank.’
The crocodile swam away after the incident disturbed an otherwise peaceful day at the Okavango Delta.
Watchful: The lioness can be seen surveying the water as her pride waits to cross the river in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Lurking: The lioness spots the giant crocodile’s head partially submerged in the waters of the river.
Menace: The lioness bares her enormous fangs after spotting the crocodile in the river in Botswana.
Spring: The lioness springs from the water and into action as she prepares to battle to protect her cubs from the lurking crocodile.
Head to Head: The photographer who captured these images said the struggle took place within a split second.
Protective: The lioness succeeds in forcing the crocodile beneath the water.
Escape: Seizing her moment while the reptile is under the water, the lioness makes a break for dry land.
Escape: The lioness emerges safely on the other side of the river after bravely battling the crocodile to protect her pride.
Diversion: As the lioness struggled with the lurking reptile, the rest of the pride were able to cross the river in safety.