By Rebecca Drew
AMAZING action-packed images show the moment a group of hungry vultures circled a Jackal who was hoping to sneak a tasty treat.
The spectacular series of images show the moment a lappet-faced vulture with its eight-foot-wide wingspan took on the lone jackal as it munched down on a calf’s carcass. Other shots show how the jackal turned to face the large vulture head on and another appears to show the vulture taking aim at the dog with its claws.
The stunning photographs were taken at the Boteti River, Botswana by business owner Bridgena Barnard from Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Bridgena used a Nikon camera to capture the encounter.
“This is a typical scene of the food chain, lions killed the calf the previous day and when they moved away from the carcass the food chain followed,” explained Bridgena.
“The jackal pulled the carcass from under the bush onto the sandy river bed and the vultures followed and the rivalry of who feeds followed.
“I love the action and movement, there’s never a dull moment.
“Jackals are very nice subjects, they’re feisty and create scenes for a person to take nice action shots, they’re always up to something.”
There are five species of vultures in Botswana including, lappet-faced, white headed, cape griffon, hooded and white-backed. Vultures are frequently seen waiting for animals to finish feasting on a carcass before swooping in to pick the bones.
“I want to bring photography to the world and educate the young and let them realise the importance of conservation,” said Bridgena.
“Some people find the interaction of species cruel but most experience it in astonishment.”
