Dramatic photographs have emerged of a female elephant and a crocodile engaging in a ferocious “tug of war” in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park.

The elephant was drinking from the River Luangwa with her baby when a crocodile leapt out of the water and grabbed hold of her trunk. She was initially brought down to her knees, as the predator thrashed around.

But the elephant eventually summoned the strength to walk away from the water, dragging the still-attached crocodile with her for several metres.