This is the moment horrified children on a school trip to the zoo see a newborn jaguar cub snatched from its mum by a male, who flees with it in his jaws.

The helpless youngster was being licked clean by its mother under a shelter at the wildlife park in Marechal Floriano, Brazil, on 22nd August moments after its birth.

But phone footage of the drama shows that as the wide-eyed pupils look on, a male jaguar dashes in and clamps his powerful jaws around the cub.

In the background, dozens of terrified pupils on a day trip from Serra, Espirito Santo state, scream in horror.

The footage – shot by Gabriely Lima Murca, 17 – shows the mother desperately chasing after the male before the clip runs out.

As the male sprints away, the helpless cub can be seen being swung around between his teeth like a rag doll.

Many feared the male had simply killed a cub fathered by a rival, a common practice in big cat groups.

But despite the terrifying scenes, zoo officials stated the next day that both mum and cub were doing well and were being monitored by staff.

The animal park added: “We also emphasise that we received inspection from the responsible environmental agency, Iema, which confirmed that the animals are receiving proper care.”