This is the incredible moment an elephant defended an injured lion by chasing off a pair of hyenas that were stalking it.

Photographer Morne du Plessis, 47, was travelling through South Africa’s Kruger National Park when he came across a young male limping from an attack during the night.

Tense footage captured a pair of hyenas closely trailing the lion and alerting their nearby pack to the rare opportunity to turn the lion into a meal.

Suddenly a massive elephant came crashing through the bush and charged head-on at the hyenas trumpeting its warning call as it sent them scattering away from the lion.

Morne said: “Nature works in mysterious ways.

“The elephant just appeared out of nowhere and came down the hill. I’m certain it saw the lion was hurt, left it alone and went straight after the hyenas.

“I had seen the young lion earlier that day and he was already limping. He is one of three brothers but must have become separated and injured during the night most likely.

“The hyenas were hanging around for some time and calling the rest of the clan. They seemed unsure of how badly the lion was injured but keen to attack.

“Ordinarily they don’t really hunt lions but will attack sick or injured ones if they sense their weakness and can outnumber it.”

This is the incredible moment an elephant defended an injured lion by chasing off a pair of hyenas that were stalking it.

Photographer Morne du Plessis, 47, was travelling through South Africa’s Kruger National Park when he came across a young male limping from an attack during the night.

Tense footage captured a pair of hyenas closely trailing the lion and alerting their nearby pack to the rare opportunity to turn the lion into a meal.

Suddenly a massive elephant came clashing through the bush and charged head on at the hyenas trumpeting its warning call as it sent them scattering away from the lion.

Morne said: “Nature works in mysterious ways.

“The elephant just appeared out of nowhere and came down the hill. I’m certain it saw the lion was hurt, left it alone and went straight after the hyenas.

“I had seen the young lion earlier that day and he was already limping. He is one of three brothers but must have become separated and injured during the night most likely.

“The hyenas were hanging around for some time and calling the rest of the clan. They seemed unsure of how badly the lion was injured but keen to attack.

“Ordinarily they don’t really hunt lions but will attack sick or injured ones if they sense their weakness and can outnumber it.”