Watch This Buck Try to Escape 3 Deadly Predators at Once - A-Z Animals

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Key Points:

• It isn’t uncommon to see predators battle for the same kill.
• Some predators are opportunistic and will take the best available option.
• Eagles and jackals compete more often than you might think.
• Eagles will hunt young animals as well, including jackal pups.

Did you ever have a day where nothing seemed to go your way? Well, that’s what this steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) experienced in the video above. It wasn’t bad enough to be hunted by an eagle from the air. As the scene unfolds, you’ll notice two jackals add themselves to the mix. These crafty canines joined in on the drama, pursuing the buck on the ground. This small antelope was likely terrified and confused, not knowing what direction to run with three deadly predators on its heels. He was able to dodge the eagle’s vicious pursuit. This is understandable, given how difficult it is to swoop up a much bigger creature that also happens to be agile.

As the video progresses, the eagle ascends a few times and attempts to strike again at different angles but fails as the buck hops in various directions and throws it off track. While the eagle remains in pursuit, a pair of jackals comes in. The jackals rush the buck while the eagle continues swooping, but the buck uses its speed and athleticism to its advantage. Seeing it advance out of reach, the wild dogs slowly halt, and the eagle sits perched on a tree. Against all odds, the steenbok had the last laugh that day. You’re probably curious if a scene like this is typical, so read on to learn more about the fascinating dynamics of these species.

Is It Common for Jackals and Eagles to Compete for the Same Meal?

There’s certainly a lot of competition between species in the wild. Lions and hyenas, for example, are often seen fighting over the rights of a kill. This is often the case for opportunistic hunters. Sometimes, they have to settle for the best available meal. Interestingly, jackals are the same way. They hunt in pairs or groups (packs), but they don’t mind stealing leftovers from another predator or cleaning up the remains of an animal that died of natural causes. The same can be said of eagles, though they are apex predators in their own right.

When times get tough, scenes like the one in the video are bound to happen. Eagles and jackals can certainly compete for the right to a meal. These two species are generally in conflict because eagles are known to scavenge kills. Further, these fierce birds have no issue swooping down to capture a jackal’s pups as an easy target. In the heat of battle, an eagle will typically take on an adult jackal from a safe distance. While eagles have devastatingly sharp talons, jackals have powerful teeth and jaws that eagles must avoid.