Survival of the fittest: Young elephant filmed fighting off pride of 14 lionesses

This is the moment an adolescent elephant made a dramatic escape by fighting off a pride of 14 hungry lionesses.

The battle, which was captured on film by tourists in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, shows the eight-year-old surrounded by the pack of predators near a watering hole.

As the lions viciously set about the youngster - who was separated from its herd - they begin taking it in turns to leap on its back and sink their teeth into its backside and legs.

In for the kill: Two vicious lionesses leap on the elephant's back. (Caters)

One of the big cats tries to sink its teeth into the hind flank of the elephant. [Caters]

 

The brave elephant managed lived another day by escaping to the water hole. [Caters]

But incredibly, the quick-thinking elephant darts into the water in a desperate bid to shrug off the lions.

And after a lengthy battle, the youngster beats the odds and escapes unscathed.

Tourists had been travelling from Norman Carr Safaris Chinzombo Camp when they stumbled across the battle at sunset.