A desperate zebra mum kicked out at a leopard after the predator hunted her baby during a river crossing.

Kevin Ongaki was leading a safari tour through the Masai Mara National Park, Kenya, when he spotted a leopard lurking in the shadows on a riverbank.

Heartstopping footage shows the big cat suddenly leaped into action as a zebra mum stepped into the water, quickly pouncing on her offspring.

Despite a heroic effort to defend her baby by kicking and biting at the leopard, the zebra eventually had to accept defeat and left the predator to its meal.

Kevin, from Mayian African Adventures, said: “I have never seen zebras defend their babies so that was a real surprise. I have never seen a hunt like this before.

“She tried for a few seconds to rescue it but soon realised it was futile.

“There were thousands of animals for the leopard to attack. It was hard to count but it waited patiently.

“The leopard waited from about a minute. It was easier for the leopard to attack the baby because it used less amount energy.”