These dramatic pictures show a clash of the titans as a protective elephant mum and a ferocious crocodile get in an epic tug of war in Zambia.The female elephant and her baby were drinking from the Luangwa River in the South Luangwa National Park when they were attacked.

Leaping out of the murky waters a vicious crocodile bit down on the female’s trunk.

Attack: The crocodile sprung from the water as a baby elephant and its mum were having a drink from the river

The baby elephant went to hide behind mum as the croc attacked

The elephant was brought to her knees as the crocodile thrashed around

Brought down on her hind legs, the elephant didn’t give up and turned away from the water, despite the predator clamped down on her trunk.

Using incredible strength the female managed to shake off the croc after walking away from the water.

She survived the attack along with her baby, despite a second scare when the baby tripped as the pair ran away.

The elephant managed to turn away from the water even the croc was trying to pull her in

With her baby safely on the far side, the mum stepped away from the water with the croc still clamped on

The mighty elephant dragged the crocodile all the way out of the water as she walked away

They were seen feeding from the river later in the day.

South Luangwa National Park is well-known for its mighty elephant herds of up to 70 individuals.

Measuring 9000 square kilometers, the park has 60 animal species including baboons, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, leopards, lions and hippopotamus.

Despite the unwanted appendage, she and her baby broke into a run

FREE: Water gushes from the mum’s trunk as she finally shakes the croc, with her baby momentarily tripping over the predator before the pair made off safely