A video showing a group of lions killing a heron at a zoo in Amsterdam has gone viral and racked up more than a million views on Youtube.

The video shows the lioness in stalking posture with her eyes on a bird about 25 yards away. The otherwild lions are seen approaching their quarry in a stealth-like manner.

The heron is seen making a final and desperate attempt to get away, but is instantly snatched out of the air by the leaping lion's claws.

The rest of the lions in the family, which are led by a big male, who appeared to be the leader in the group, closes in for the action. All lions attack the heron and try to devour the animal. The lioness takes the heron and circles, bobs and weaves as the other lions try to get a piece.

The Inquistr reported that the clip was original filmed in Febraury of 2012, but was recently posted on YouTube with the below description:

"This Dutch family was visiting the zoo on a quiet Sunday afternoon when things got a bit more exciting than seeing bored animals lying around their enclosures. A lion spots a heron near the water. Following her instincts she sneaks up on it and manages to grab it. The whole family wants in on the prize, but a sneaky cub gets away with it."

Onlookers witnessed the blue heron land in a small pool of water within the lions' territory. There are screams and excitement heard in the background as spectators watched the action.