By Rebecca Lewis @RebeccaSLewis
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The young female, who was not more than 16-months old, ferociously defended herself after the sneak attack.
Marc Lindsay-Rea, 29, a private guide from White River, South Africa, watched as the incident unfolded in Kruger National Park.
He said: “The male was gaining on the young lioness quickly and she then abruptly spun around to face the charging male. They smashed into each other at great force.
“The noise was incredible. I can’t begin to explain the load roaring and fighting sounds they made."
The pride of four lionesses and three males had been relaxing in the afternoon sun.
The youngest lioness had been separated from the rest of the pride and appeared agitated as she lay next to a small bush, he said.
The scene was tranquil until the male abruptly started to stalk the cat from behind a bush.
Hearing the predator charge, the adolescent female bolted out into the open area in front of the Marc’s vehicle to fight the oncoming male.
Marc added: “While the fight was going on the other three females sprinted in to the nearby thickets and the remaining two males came thundering to their brother’s assistance.
“The lioness managed to narrowly escape before the two other males joined the fight.