Thanks mum and dad! Baby buffalo comes within seconds of being eaten by a lion… before its parents charge the predator and scare it off

• Veterinary surgeon Ben Cranke, 54, captured amazing photo sequence on safari in Botswana, southern Africa
• Shots show lioness lunging for the unsuspecting baby buffalo before it attempts to run away from the big cat
• Protective parents leapt into action, butting the predator away before herd battles with group of lions in water

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A buffalo calf almost became lunch for a lioness – until his protective parents saved the day.

Veterinary surgeon Ben Cranke, 54, captured these incredible images of the battle between the big cat and a herd of buffalo in Botswana in southern Africa. 

In the photo sequence, the lioness lunges at the young calf and nearly has the baby animal in her claws before his protective parents charge the big cat – although the lioness didn’t leave without putting up a fight. 

Later shots show the herd of buffalo going head-to-head with the pride of lions in the water. 

Mr Cranke, who was on a photographic safari, said: ‘An elderly 18-year-old lioness lead the hunt but failed to catch the young calf and got butted by an older buffalo.

‘The entire experience was harrowing but exhilarating.’ 

Veterinary surgeon Ben Cranke, 54, photographed the moment this lionness raced after an unsuspecting buffalo calf in Botswana

The incredible photo sequence captures the fear on the baby buffalo’s face as it desperately attempts to outrun the big cat

Luckily for the calf, its mother leapt into action and began to chase after the lioness. Mr Cranke was on a photographic safari at the time

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This snap shows the mother butting the smaller lioness with its horns as another buffalo joins her for the attack 

Mr Cranke said: ‘An elderly 18-year-old lioness lead the hunt but failed to catch the young calf and got butted by an older buffalo. The entire experience was harrowing but exhilarating’

A final shot shows the herd of buffalo and pride of lions going head-to-head in the water

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