This is the rare moment a hyena clan rescued one of its fallen members from a brutal lion attack.

Sivert Brendmoe was on safari at Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa, on September 7 when a lion pride suddenly launched an attack on a stray hyena.

Epic footage captured the four lions bringing down their unusual prey with one of the males pinning it to the ground by its throat.

In an incredible show of support, additional members of the hyena clan appeared and in a tense 15 minute standoff managed to distract the lions enough so their friend could escape.

Sivert said: “Seeing this in real life and this up-close left me speechless. We were all shaking throughout the 15-minute attack and our adrenaline kicked in as well.

“The screams from the hyena were haunting, but we knew we were witnessing nature at its peak.

“I was staying at the Londolozi Game Reserve for five days, and this happened on day four. Most people in my group decided to skip the morning safari so it was just my siblings and I.

“We did absolutely not expect the attack and neither did our tracker and ranger. They told us minutes leading up to it, that the lions wouldn't attack.

“This is because lions don't eat hyenas therefore attacking them would just waste energy. In this case, the hyena only spotted one lion further ahead.

“Trying to avoid the lion, it was moving sideways towards our direction not knowing they were a bigger pack of five lions. Once it got too close to the lions, it was too late as it tried getting away.

“The most surprising part of the whole thing was seeing how hyenas stick together and protect each other.

“The hyena's scream led the other ten hyenas straight to the lions and they didn't stop antagonizing and circling up the lions until they let go of the hurt one so it could run away.

“The hyena miraculously survived the initial attack.”