PRO 4 Face-off: The hyena walks with the head in its mouth

The scavenger was seen holding the prize in its teeth, after the big cat was believed to be killed by two other lions. Retired IT teacher Verna Poorbaugh captured the grisly scene on safari in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Verna, from San Diego in California, said: “We were on a safari drive when I happened to catch some movement in the bushes.

PRO 4 The hyena strolls off with its prized possession

“I asked our driver Peter to stop, he stopped, backed up, and waited so that we could see what was happening. “Out of the bushes came a hyena, and to our surprise it was carrying a lion’s head and heading directly towards us. “He came right up to us, stopped, turned around and headed off into the bushes.

PRO 4 The scavenger sets off with the head

“It took a moment for us to realise what we were actually seeing.” Verna, 78, was travelling with Bushcamp Safaris when she took the photos in May. Her driver believes the dead animal was a young male killed by two older lions, who wanted to eliminate the competition whilst taking over a pride.

PRO 4 Chomping at the bit: The scavenger has its teeth firmly sunk into the lion's head