Male Lions Trade Blows in violent battle

The show of aggression broke out after one of the lions approached the other while it was mating.

When the interrupted male lashed-out, the powerful big cats took turns to take swipes at each other.

Finance assistant Johan Peter Meiring believes the lions were fighting over the same female.

He said: "There were two females and two males next to the road.

"The one subordinate male approached a bit too close for comfort to the larger dominant male, causing him to attack.

"Shortly after the brawl the two began mating again."

It is not unusual for lions to fight over a female, and it is even known for brothers to compete for the affections of the same lioness.

Powerful males will often brawl with each to try and gain leadership of a pride, with the winner sometimes killing off younger lions to eliminate further competition.

Kruger National Park in South Africa is home to roughly 2,000 lions, and Johan captured this brutal fight earlier this month.