Into the lion's den! Warthog meets its maker after straying into big cat's path

This is the moment a reckless warthog ran to its doom after straying into the path of a hungry lion.

The brave beast stepped into the lion’s den at a wildlife park in South Africa and swiftly met its maker when it was spotted by the big cat.

The lion pounces on the wild pig with hits huge claws, then devours its prey to cement his status at the top of the food chain.

The incredible sequence was caught on camera at the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

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Photographer Trix Jonker, 57, from Bloemfontein in the Free State province of South Africa, explained how the warthog had a lucky escape first of all, before foolishly walking back into the lion’s den for a second time.

Trix revealed she almost missed this stunning moment in nature, but managed to capture the action at the perfect minute.

She said: 'The poor unsuspecting warthog did not spot the lions at all and she disappeared behind a bush where a lion was lying, and it was taken by surprise.’
 
Trix revealed the warthog first had a lucky escape after it accidentally woke a sleeping lioness, but startled her so she didn't attack.

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But Trix couldn't believe her eyes when the same warthog went back into the lion's den.
 
Trix said: 'After the warthog escaped, I thought the action was over. But the warthog went back in a circle and went back on the same path as before, straight back into the lions.
 
'By this time, a male lion had woken up and was sat up straight trying to see what the commotion was.

'He saw the warthog coming and went straight into the attack position. This was when I had my camera poised as I knew this time something was going to happen.
 
'At one stage there was only this big dust cloud and I could not see what was happening.
 
'Then when the dust cleared and I saw the lion holding the warthog between his front paws and looking straight at me.
 
'He stayed like that for quite a while then lifted the warthog into the air and started dragging her away.'
 
Trix added: 'I couldn't beleive how tough the warthog was, and was absolutely stunned by what I saw that afternoon. It's amazing I managed to capture it on camera.'