This is the incredible moment a leopard tried in vain to protect its warthog kill from a thieving hyena.

Dillon Nelson was on a tour through Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa, when he heard the commotion from a well-known leopard called Hukumuri.

Dramatic footage shows a female hyena with its teeth in the carcass of the warthog attempting to fend off Hukumuri as he tried to take back his prey.

The pair of fighting predators threw dust into the air as they landed heavy blows on each other’s faces before the hyena finally managed to wrest the warthog away from the leopard.

Dillon said: “It was an absolutely incredible encounter to see so close to us.

“We heard the commotion of Hukumuri taking the warthog down and went to find where they were. Obviously, the sound of the kill had also alerted other animals in the area.

“The hyena was a very dominant female and she managed to get control over the warthog carcass.

“She was part of a larger group of four hyenas and after her fight with Hukumuri, she took the prey back to them for food.

“Once they were finished with it, Hukumuri was able to grab what remained of the warthog and carried it up a nearby tree.”

This is the incredible moment a leopard tried in vain to protect its warthog kill from a thieving hyena.

Dillon Nelson was on a tour through Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa, when he heard the commotion from a well-known leopard called Hukumuri.

Dramatic footage shows a female hyena with its teeth in the carcass of the warthog attempting to fend off Hukumuri as he tried to take back his prey.

The pair of fighting predators threw dust into the air as they landed heavy blows on each other’s faces before the hyena finally managed to wrest the warthog away from the leopard.

Dillon said: “It was an absolutely incredible encounter to see so close to us.

“We heard the commotion of Hukumuri taking the warthog down and went to find where they were. Obviously the sound of the kill had also alerted other animals in the area.

“The hyena was a very dominant female and she managed to get control over the warthog carcass.

“She was part of a larger group of four hyenas and after her fight with Hukumuri, she took the prey back to them for food.

“Once they were finished with it, Hukumuri was able to grab what remained of the warthog and carried it up a nearby tree.”