[Trebbinsa]

These dramatic pictures show a clash of the titans as an elephant and crocodile go toe to toe in an epic tug of war. Photographer Martin Nyfeler was traveling through South Luangwa National Park in Zambia when he saw this female elephant and her baby drinking from the Luangwa River. Leaping out of the murky waters a vicious crocodile set upon the pair, biting into the female's trunk...




...The female elephant - aided by her baby - survived the attack and was seen feeding from the river later in the day.

[Trebbinsa]

The moment a brave elephant mum shakes a vicious crocodile off her trunk

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:14 PM on 18th November 2010

These dramatic pictures show a clash of the titans as a protective elephant mum and a ferocious crocodile get in an epic tug of war in Zambia. The female elephant and her baby were drinking from the Luangwa River in the South Luangwa National Park when they were attacked. Leaping out of the murky waters a vicious crocodile bit down on the female's trunk.



ATTACK: The crocodile sprung from the water as a baby elephant and its mum were having a drink from the river




The baby elephant went to hide behind mum as the croc attacked




The elephant was brought to her knees as the crocodile thrashed around

Brought down on her hind legs, the elephant didn't give up and turned away from the water, despite the predator clamped down on her trunk. Using incredible strength the female managed to shake off the croc after walking away from the water. She survived the attack along with her baby, despite a second scare when the baby tripped as the pair ran away.



The elephant managed to turn away from the water even the croc was trying to pull her in




With her baby safely on the far side, the mum stepped away from the water with the croc still clamped on





The mighty elephant dragged the crocodile all the way out of the water as she walked away

They were seen feeding from the river later in the day. South Luangwa National Park is well-known for its mighty elephant herds of up to 70 individuals. Measuring 9000 square kilometers, the park has 60 animal species including baboons, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, leopards, lions and hippopotamus.



Despite the unwanted appendage, she and her baby broke into a run




FREE: Water gushes from the mum's trunk as she finally shakes the croc, with her baby momentarily tripping over the predator before the pair made off safely