Lioness and crocodile fight it out

Who would win in a fight between a lioness and a crocodile?

It may not be a question that has been given much consideration in the past, but it is one that animal watchers in the Okavanga Delta in Botswana got the answer to recently.

The lioness was trying to take her pride across a river when she noticed the reptile and felt compelled to protect her cubs.

Demonstrating considerable bravery, the big cat attacked the crocodile in the water.

After her pride successfully crossed, she forced the croc under water and made a dash for dry land.

Photographer Pia Dierickx was lucky enough to catch the sequence of events on camera.

The Belgian remarked: "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."

It certainly puts a whole new spin on the term mother's pride.

Posted by Mark Wilkins