This turtle averted death threats from not one, not two, but three sub-adult male lions in western India's Gujarat.

The incident took place at the Gir Forest, renowned for housing the Asiatic Lion.

Visuals showed a lion dragging the tortoise away and trying to bite it, but the amphibian just shut itself inside the protective shell.

Frustrated with the resilience, the predator tried to kick it open, while the turtle remained resolute in its defence.

A while later, the lion gives up, as the turtle gets back on its feet and moves towards the waterbody, to safety.

According to Dr. Mohan Ram, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Sasan Gir, who witnessed the fascinating encounter, there were three lions who took turns to attack the turtle. They each tried in their own way, even standing on top of the shell to break it open, but failed.

In the end, the resolve shown by the small turtle was enough to stave off the attack from three mighty adolescent lions. He added that once the lions had given up, the turtle waited patiently before coming out
of its shell and slowly moving towards the waterbody. Seeing the turtle move, the lions tried one last time to attack, but the former had already reached a safe zone by then.