fbpx
Home Animals Abandoned Baby Buck Gets Attacked By Eagles

Abandoned Baby Buck Gets Attacked By Eagles

Share this incredible sighting with your friends:Nature enthusiast Tony Ferri witnessed two eagles attack a baby buck in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park after it had been abandoned by its herd due to an deformity. “My eyes caught sight of a herd of springbok. In the herd of springbok, a newborn lamb struggled to stand, burdened…

Heather Djunga
Share this incredible sighting with your friends:

Nature enthusiast Tony Ferri witnessed two eagles attack a baby buck in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park after it had been abandoned by its herd due to an deformity.

“My eyes caught sight of a herd of springbok. In the herd of springbok, a newborn lamb struggled to stand, burdened by a deformity,” said Tony. “It was both beautiful and sad at the same time. The herd tried endlessly to help the little one stand, but had no success.”

He said the herd gathered around the lamb for over 30 minutes; showing incredible patience and determination, nudging and encouraging the little one.

“However, despite their efforts, it became clear that the herd needed to make a difficult decision. Reluctantly, they began leaving one by one.”

Eagle spies vulnerable lamb

A vulnerable lamb out in the open is easy prey for predators in the area, and this little buck was quickly spotted by a Tawny Eagle. The mighty eagle swooped down in the blink of an eye and watched the baby buck closely.

Get our Best Sightings as they Come in

Enter your email address

One might not be aware of the size and sheer power of such an eagle when it is in the air, however, next to the buck, it appeared a formidable opponent.

Tawny Eagles are powerful hunters. To give an example of the species’ might: one of their primary prey, Kirk’s Dik-Dik, weighs over twice as much as a Tawny Eagle.

Ominous shadow looms overhead

Tony said he watched the eagle assess the situation in awe.

Things did not look good for the little buck. There was nowhere for it to run or hide or take shelter.

This was when a second eagle appeared on the scene. The shadow of the eagle’s great wings swept across the sand just behind the buck. The second eagle was closing in.

The Tawny Eagle’s wingspan ranges from 1,72 to 1,85 metres (5.6 to 6.1 feet). It weighs between 1,6 and 2,4 kilograms.

The buck had only moments, if any, to get away.

A brave attempt to get to safety

Sensing danger, the buck got to its feet and walked away. Its deformity was evident as it slowly walked off into the distance. The eagle continued to watch it closely.

The little buck presented a picture of vulnerability and fragility as it walked across the open plain area in full view of the spectators in the vehicle – and also the two eagles.

Second eagle closes in on buck

“While one eagle watched the buck try to escape a second eagle swooped in sealing its fate. The lamb was obviously too small and weak to defend itself, and it soon became a meal,” said Tony. “Its deformity in its legs only made matters harder for it, as the lamb was even more helpless in defending itself.”

The eagle’s swift attack flung the buck into the air and in a heartrending moment, it collapsed to the ground. It had little chance of getting away, due to its age, its small size and its deformity.

Its herd, which had done everything to nudge the little one to its feet, was not there to defend or protect. The buck was there alone in the open.

There was a moment’s pause as the buck looked around, dazed. This tragic moment gave viewers just a moment to catch their breath before the eagle closed in.

This time, the eagle did not relent. He settled on top of the buck and settled in for a feast.

Majesty and tragedy take centre stage

The kill was a tragic reminder of the fragility of life in the bushveld and a cruel reality of the wild: ‘Survival of the fittest’. Having a deformity, and being young, weak and vulnerable, the buck stood no chance.

Watch the sighting:

YouTube video

Share this incredible sighting with your friends: