In a poignant event at Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, nature’s stark realities were laid bare as a leopard preyed on a defenseless lion cub.

This heartbreaking scene unfolded when a lioness, seeking shelter in a parched bush, temporarily left her three-week-old cub alone to hunt for food.

Scott Hyman, a 54-year-old Canadian lawyer and passionate photographer, documented the dramatic episode in September.

His images capture the vulnerability of the lion cub, which the stealthy leopard ambushed during the mother lioness’s brief absence.

The lioness moved her cubs deeper into the bush to ensure their safety when the leopard seized the chance.

Swiftly and silently, the predator pounced on the unprotected cub carried it in its jaws and climbed a tree to consume its prey.

Though witnessing the distressing event, Hyman refrained from photographing the most brutal moments.

His images, however, vividly portray the mother lioness’s shock and grief upon discovering her cub’s tragic fate.

This incident underscores the harsh reality of life in the wild, where predators capitalize on moments of weakness to survive.

The leopard’s decisive action serves as a sobering reminder of the relentless and unforgiving dynamics of the animal kingdom, where survival often hinges on seizing fleeting opportunities.