Don’t mess with a honey badger! Smaller animal ends up on top as it fights off jackal that tries to steal its food
- Elisabeth Ann Moss, 74, captured the images while visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa
- Fearless honey badger holds its own during vicious tug of war which lasts for 30 minutes before he wins
- Exhausted black-backed jackal eventually gives in to its determined opponent and lets it enjoy its food
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This is the moment a fearless honey badger held its own in a vicious tug of war with a jackal for 30 minutes, and came out the victor.
Astonishing images show the hungry duo battle it out over what appears to be a ground squirrel gripped in their jaws, each trying to tug the fresh kill away from the other’s grasp.
Following an epic skirmish, the exhausted black-backed jackal eventually gives in to its surprisingly ferocious and determined opponent – leaving the badger to enjoy its prize.
This is the moment a fearless honey badger held its own in a vicious tug of war with a jackal for 30 minutes, and came out the victor
Astonishing images show the hungry duo battle it out over what appears to be a ground squirrel gripped in their jaws, each trying to tug the fresh kill away from the other’s grasp
Elisabeth Ann Moss, 74, captured the images whilst visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on August 24.
Grandmother-of-15 Ms Moss, a retired nurse, said: ‘Whilst I stood near the bird hide, a badger had caught a ground squirrel and was quickly chased by a jackal that wanted a share, if not the whole meal.
‘The badger was fearless – they are known for their strong jaws and sharp claws. This one was holding on to his prey that he had caught, and nothing would make him let go.
‘He rolled, he turned over and his teeth were locked tight. The tug of war exhausted the jackal who, after persevering for more than 30 minutes, let go exhausted.
‘The badger finished feeding on what was rightfully his.’
Elisabeth, from South Africa, who has been photographing wildlife for 20 years, said: ‘I have enjoyed my amateur photography, but really just for reference when looking back on people and places and flora and fauna.
‘Surprises happen all the time and each day is different. You learn to read animal behaviour. I watch and learn something new every day.
‘I have learnt that you have to go out early, not be in a rush, sit at water holes or under the shade of a tree and be patient.
‘[This image is] the best animal shot that I had ever captured, I have had a great response.’
Following an epic skirmish, the exhausted black-backed jackal eventually gives in to its surprisingly ferocious and determined opponent – leaving the badger to enjoy its prize
Elisabeth Ann Moss, 74, captured the images whilst visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on August 24
Grandmother-of-15 Ms Moss, a retired nurse, said: ‘Whilst I stood near the bird hide, a badger had caught a ground squirrel and was quickly chased by a jackal that wanted a share, if not the whole meal’
She added: ‘The badger was fearless – they are known for their strong jaws and sharp claws. This one was holding on to his prey that he had caught, and nothing would make him let go’
The animals were locked in a vicious fight for half an hour before the smaller animal ended as the victor and was able to walk away with its prize
Elisabeth, from South Africa, who has been photographing wildlife for 20 years, said: ‘I have enjoyed my amateur photography, but really just for reference when looking back on people and places and flora and fauna’
She added: ‘Surprises happen all the time and each day is different. You learn to read animal behaviour. I watch and learn something new every day’
Eventually the reluctant jackal gives up the fight and leaves the honey badger to enjoy his well-deserved meal
The delighted honey badger was then left on his own to continue eating the meal that was rightfully his
Ms Moss (pictured with her husband, Basil) said: ‘These are the best animal shots that I had ever captured, I have had a great response’