This is the dramatic moment zookeepers retrieved four newborn rabbits from a pelican's mouth.

Footage shows two staff members restraining the ravenous white bird while prying open its huge beak to rescue the tiny animals in Yibin, China.

One of the employees wearing pink gloves can be seen reaching inside to free the live, hapless kits trapped in its throat on May 28.

The woman then carefully pulled the furry creatures out one by one and placed them back in their bedding.

One of the workers said: 'We entered the bunnies' enclosure only to find they were all gone. We then saw the pelican nearby and suspected it had eaten the babies, so we had to remove them from its throat before it could digest them.'

Pelicans are naturally curious and opportunistic feeders, often attempting to swallow anything that catches their interest, even animals larger than themselves.