This is the amazing moment a heroic hippo saved a gnu from certain death.
In grave danger: The gnu struggling to get to the bank of the river is dragged back by the crocodile
The incredible rescue happened on the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya
The gnu is getting weaker by the second but the hippos are closing in
After chasing the giant crocodile away, the unlikely hero is then seen guarding the creature and even nudges the gnu to the edge of the river in effort to move it out of harms way.
The jaw-dropping moment stunned onlookers including Israeli photographer, Vadim Onishchenko, 34, who managed to capture the rare moment on camera.
Another hippo notices the struggling animal and makes its way through the water
Watch out: The hippos group round the struggling gnu as the croc clings on
More hippos join and the herd scare away the crocodile as it slips beneath the murky water
In its panic the gnu ends up swimming further back into the water, with the crocodile holding on tightly, it is now the hippo begins to intervene
The gnu struggling to get to the bank of the river is dragged back by the crocodile, a hippo is also seen strafing both animals
The hippo is seen in this video nudging the gnu on the to bank of the river
One of the biggest hippos protects the gnu as it makes its way back to the shoreline, guarding it from any further attacks
Thanks bud: Back at shore, a hippo eyes the gnu it helped save
You’re welcome: One of the biggest hippos is seen guarding the gnu, encouraging it to leave the water
‘We saw the gnu escape the water but it stood there for quite a while as I think it was in shock.