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A ferocious lioness scores an incisive victory after taking on a lion who got too close to her cubs.

The mane man’s huge fang was left hanging by a thread – leaving more than his pride hurt.

The lion kicking began as he and a pal approached the group after marking their territory.

The toothy tiff was captured in South Africa’s Kruger National Park by farm manager Corlette Wessels, on a visit from Johannesburg.

Corlette, 43, watched the two males approach – and said the fight “came out of nowhere”.

(Image: Caters) (Image: Caters)

She said: “One cub approached one of the males – and the oldest female of the pride started to growl.

"The male growled back, then she slapped him and the other females joined in.”

Corlette added: “I can’t tell you the intensity of their voices and growls, and the pure force of their forelegs lashing out.”

That’s what you might call the jaw of the jungle…