I was passing a large open area in the South of the national park called "Ngamo", when i noticed a Tawny Eagle swoop down, seize something in its talons and fly off. Our paths were going to intersect about a hundred meters ahead and as i dropped a gear and floored it i saw that the prey was putting up quite a struggle and the eagle dropped it. As it hit the ground two other Tawny's joined in and that is when i realised that the prey was a Black-backed Jackal pup! It was picked up and dropped again by another eagle before he managed to run for cover in a small buffalo-thorn tree. I arrived at that point and managed to get my camera out. He was obviously badly injured but now deep in the middle of the thorn bush so the eagles eventually left to look for an easier meal! The photo above shows the 3 birds waiting to see if the jackal would came out again. I have not heard of such prey being caught by Tawny's before.....have you?
No comments:
Post a Comment