The scavenger even stopped to nibble the oversized snack while heading towards an active hyena den.

South African wildlife photographer Mike Dexter visited the elephant's carcass two days after the enormous mammal had died.

Although he was expecting other animals to have feasted on its fleshy remains, the 29-year-old was shocked to find a hyena had carried out an amputation.

Mike, who leads specialist photography safaris, said: "An elephant had died two days previously and I was on my way to it to see if there was any action, such as if there were any predators or scavengers around or any interesting interactions taking place.

"When I was about 500 metres from the elephant carcass I rounded a corner in my land cruiser and there, crossing the river bed towards me, was a young spotted hyena carrying part of the elephant's leg and foot.

"He was walking towards the location of an active hyena den so I imagine he was taking his prize back for the rest of the clan to enjoy.

"At one point, when he had come up alongside me, he stopped for a break and brief nibble."

Hyena's are notorious scavengers, and have been photographed carrying the heads of dead lions in their mouths.