In a stunning video caught in the wilds of South Africa, a female leopard can be seen toying with a honey badger cub it had just pounced on before, out of seemingly nowhere, a heroic mama badger comes sailing across the screen from the left in what was a "launch" attack that sent the shocked leopard running for cover.

Known to have the heart of a lion, these creatures have squared off with multiple lions (6) and leopards (3) at one time, all by their lonesomes, when they've been messed with. Once she runs the large, spotted feline off, she doesn't head for her den or try to take cover somewhere else. She's downright defiant and stands her ground while her dazed offspring seems to try to acclimate itself.

Photo: YouTube/Latest Sightings

Then, at one point, after trying to nudge the youngster along, she frantically jumps on top of it to shield it from the leopard should it return. She is PO'd and obviously willing to stand her ground and protect her baby no matter what. The scene will leave you slack-jawed at the feisty determination and ferocious nature of such a diminutive creature as compared to her foe.

The video, which was reportedly shot in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park by safari guide Sahara Wulfsohn, was actually filmed back in 2019 and posted on the YouTube channel Latest Sightings. It's recently made the rounds again, drawing legions of new fans to the fearless honey badger mom.

Photo: YouTube/Latest Sightings

"On our drive, we had seen a few elephants, but I was really looking forward to showing my group of five guests a leopard. When Joel, one of the other rangers, called in that he had found a female leopard not far from the lodge, I quickly responded to the sighting," explained Wulfsohn in the video's description.

"When we arrived at the scene, Joel pointed out the leopard, which was moving slowly through a tamboti thicket towards us. At this point, I was very excited and grateful for having been given this excellent opportunity to show my guests a real-life leopard. I didn't notice initially, but there was a young honey badger a few meters away from us and about 10 meters away from the Leopard. When I realized what was about to happen, I could hardly believe my eyes!"

Neither can anyone else who's viewed the amazing footage. It's so worth the watch, you really don't want to miss this heroic maneuver in the video below.

https://youtu.be/hLG_Q8FJda0