The epic battle between wild buffalo and predatory lions was fully recorded by photographer Van den Heever in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

When she discovered her baby was being attacked, the mother buffalo panicked and tried to rescue her baby from two hungry lions but quickly became weak before the predators. A lion suddenly jumped up and bit the mother buffalo’s back. The lion pair tried many times to pull down the mother buffalo.

Realizing the dangerous situation, a brave male buffalo rushed to confront the pair of lions. It used all its strength to chase away the two uninvited guests.

A healthy male buffalo actively attacked two lions to protect the injured female.

Fear was shown in the lioness’s eyes when she realized she had lost her advantage and it was time to retreat.

The male buffalo uses its large sharp horns to attack directly. Its powerful blow buried the lioness in a puddle of mud.

The female lion crawled up with her body covered in mud and injuries. According to Van den Heever, the lioness crawled out of the mud and died two days later.