A desperate cub roars at the lion in an attempt to protect its mother.

A hippopotamus stuck in the mud and on the verge of death is too good an opportunity to miss for a lion (Hanno Erasмus/SWNS)

A hippopotamus has been pictured trying to save its mother from a hungry lion after she fell into a muddy swamp.

The desperate cub can be seen roaring at the lion during the confrontation as it surrounded the stricken pair in

The scene was photographed by Hanno Erasмus in Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa.

A hippopotamus roars at the lion to protect its mother from him after she gets stuck in the mud.

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In the end, the other hippo died of dehydration and her calf died of the same condition two days later.

An adult hippopotamus is usually too easy a target for a lion, with its cubs.

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa.

It has a high density of wild animals, including the Big Fiʋe: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes.