These pictures show the incredible moment a fearless lion fights off a marauding young bull elephant in a desperate bid to protect its family. Lasting less than a minute, the two enraged males squared up to one another before charging in a potentially deadly game of chicken. While neither animal was hurt, it showed how merciless life can be on the plains of Africa where fresh water and water holes are at a premium. The intense standoff took place in Botswana’s Nxai Pan National Park, and was captured by Czech photographer Jan Hrbacek while he was on holiday last October. Mr Hrbacek said: ‘The young elephant came up to the waterhole, where the pride of lions were lying. The male lions tried to chase him away, but he became angry and chased them back.