The heart-stopping moment a protective elephant chargesat a pack of hyenas to protect its injured calf
This is the incredible moment an elephant came to the rescue of oneof its babies being attacked by a pack of hyenas.
The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to ward them off itsoffspring.
These amazing pictures were captured by American photographerJayesh Mehta, 47, in the Savuti region of the Chobe National Parkin Botswana.
Back off: This is the incredible moment an elephant came to therescue of one of its babies being attacked by a pack of hyenas
Jayesh said: 'We heard cries of elephants in distress. On leavingthe track and going towards the sounds in the bush we found a groupof 12-14 hyenas chasing a herd of around eight elephants.
'The elephant herd included two adult females, a few teenagers, anda baby that was a few days old.
'The hyenas were trying to get at the baby - which had already beeninjured by the time we got there.
Protective: As the hyenas begin to surround the elephant, shebecomes aggressive in an attempt to protect her young calf whichhas already been injured
Determined: The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to wardthem off its offspring
Snapped: These amazing pictures were captured by Americanphotographer Jayesh Mehta, 47, in the Savuti region of the ChobeNational Park in Botswana
Intimidating: The hyenas scattered as the elephant set aboutprotecting its vulnerable calf
Attack: 'The hyenas were trying to get at the baby - which hadalready been injured by the time we got there,' said thephotographer
'The elephants were running hard through the bush. The baby stuckclose to the mother and the other elephants tried to stay aroundthe baby as much as possible.
'They needed to stop to rest frequently - for the baby's sake. Theyformed a circle around the baby each time.
'The hyenas kept on darting in nipping at the baby during the chase- mauling the baby quite badly - especially its hindquarters.
'It was amazing to see some of the hyenas coming from all sides toirritate the larger elephants - and other hyenas to try and grabthe baby whenever the attention of the larger elephants wasdiverted.
'The two adult elephants kept on swinging their trunks aggressivelyat the hyenas but did not injure them.
'We kept following the chase closely but keeping a safe distanceaway to avoid any human interference in this struggle of nature.During the chase, for almost an hour, the elephants managed toshake off the hyenas - but the hyenas found the elephants and thechase resumed. Eventually, the elephants escaped.
'It was probably one of the most exciting experiences - thatpictures cannot do justice to. Going through the bush, we had somescratches and cuts.
'The noise of the animals, the rough ride through the bush, thedust - some purposely raised by the elephants to obscure theirlocation - and the sheer thrill of this life-and-death encounterwas unbelievable.'
Escape: During the chase, for almost an hour, the elephants managedto shake off the hyenas - but the hyenas found the elephants andthe chase resumed. Eventually, the elephants escaped
Safe at last: The elephant calf stays near its parents after thevicious attack一头愤怒的大象为保护幼崽冲入土狼群中展开殊死搏斗，47岁的美国摄影师Jayesh Mehta在博茨瓦纳国家公园拍下这一震撼的场面。
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