Elephants are known to be intelligent, affectionate and gentle animals, and it’s no surprise that they are fiercely protective of their young as well. Mothers are known for their unwavering protection and care for their children, and this video is proof that this feeling goes beyond species. The protective instincts of the mother elephant in this video are not only admirable but also terrifying. A video recently surfaced on Twitter showing how far a mother elephant would go to protect her baby from harm.

The video was shared on Twitter by Indian Forest Service officer Susanta Nanda and shows a dramatic confrontation between a mother elephant and a crocodile. “The extent to which elephants are able to protect their young is unbelievable. This is a small percentage. The crocodile had to surrender.

The video begins with a baby elephant soaking in a small body of water while its mother watches over it. Suddenly, a crocodile attacked the calf from the water. The mother elephant quickly comes to the rescue and joins the fierce battle with the reptiles. The elephant fought the crocodile, the animal eventually surrendered and retreated.

“The classic case is trying to bite more than you can chew,” commented one user. “The crocodile never had a chance. Great,” wrote another user. “She probably looks like a lizard,” joked a third user. “The alligator never had a chance. Great,” the fourth added.