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When this zebra foal fell into a mud pit its would-be saviour came in the unlikely shape of a two-tonne rhino.

The giant beast spotted the baby zebra being stuck in the mud and attempted to lift the hapless creature with its horn.

South African guide Roel van Muiden was showing visitors around the Madikwe Game Reserve when he saw the incredible scene.

(Image: Media Drum World)

“This was an amazing interaction between two species and one that I was lucky to see,” he said.

“Upon arriving at the dam there were several rhinos interacting with each other.

“A male was chasing some females and then being chased away, so it took me awhile to notice the tiny zebra foal stuck in the mud.

“The herd was nowhere in sight so the foal must have been there for quite some time.”

(Image: Media Drum World)

Roel then described the heart-stopping moment the rhino decided to intervene – possibly to help the stranded animal or perhaps just out of confusion.

“A rhino bull, made his way down to the water and near to the muddy patch the foal was stuck in.

“The rhino started to prod the zebra with his horn out of curiosity. After a while he grew impatient and lifted the body out."

(Image: Media Drum World)

“The foal, still being alive but very weak, could only lift its head out of the mud," he continued.

“The rhino lifted the foal so quickly that it had no time to react. The rhino then dropped the foal and moved off. He then came back for another prod and look-see.

“This time he lifted the zebra in a different position and his horn disembowelled the foal."

(Image: Media Drum World)

“I have been guiding for almost ten years and may go on for many and still never witness something as amazing and melancholy as this,” Roel added.

Heartbreakingly, the small foal didn't survive the rescue operation, despite the rhino's best efforts.

It's not just zebras that need rescuing though - sometimes rhinos need help too. Below you can see amazing video footage of rhinos being airlifted - upside down - by a helicopter.