19 November 2010 Last updated at 11:55

In pictures: Elephant and crocodile 'tug of war'

Crocodile bites elephant's trunk in in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park

Dramatic photographs have emerged of a female elephant and a crocodile engaging in a ferocious “tug of war” in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park.

The elephant was drinking from the River Luangwa with her baby when a crocodile leapt out of the water and grabbed hold of her trunk. She was initially brought down to her knees, as the predator thrashed around.

Elephant drags crocodile out of the water

But the elephant eventually summoned the strength to walk away from the water, dragging the still-attached crocodile with her for several metres.

Elephant escapes after crocodile lets go

The crocodile then let go. However, as the elephants ran away, the baby tripped and fell. The pair were seen feeding from the river later in the day. In his Just So Stories, Rudyard Kipling said such a battle was how the Elephant's Child got his trunk.

Africa

In pictures: Elephant and crocodile 'tug of war'

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