A lion bit off more than he could chew when he attacked a hippo calf in Kruger National Park.

Two fierce lions attacked a herd of hippos as they emerged from a day of wallowing in the water. One of the beasts leaped on a hippo calf who had become separated from its mother – attempting to bring the struggling baby to the ground.

The lion tries to get its teeth into the baby hippo

But the powerful predator was forced to turn tail when confronted by the calf’s angry mother.

The lion and its companion left hungry and with dented pride as both hippos emerged from the incident unscathed.

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Photographer Duncan Fraser captured the encounter at Sunset Dam on his way back to camp at dusk. Duncan, 23, from Action Photography, said: ‘The bigger male lion was in front and crouching ready for action. Suddenly he pounced up and the surprise caused the adult hippo to split away from the baby.

‘Seeing this opportunity he swung around and pounced onto the baby – trying to get a grip and take the baby down. The adult hippo swung around and came back charging at the lion.

The mummy hippo gives the lion a chasing

‘The lion quickly released its grip and decided that it was time to exit the scene,’ recalls Duncan.

‘The baby hippo and its mother moved off away from the lions into the bushes – it did not appear to have suffered any major injuries from the attack.’