Jackal against Thomson's Gazelle : an unexpected battle

Subject : Very rare sighting of a pair of Jackals chasing and killing an adult Thomson's Gazelle.
Masai Mara, Kenya, Feb 2020.

Explanations : Black-backed Jackals (Canis Mesomelas) usually feed on carrion or prey on small animals (insects, rodents) and occasionally on young Gazelles. There are very few sightings of a jackal killing an adult Gazelle, like this Thomson's Gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii), because it is considered as a too large prey for these small Canids.

When we met this pair of Jackals running after this Thomson's Gazelle in Masai Mara National Park, Kenya, at first we thought it was a game. But eventually the pair of Jackals found a technics to make the kill. It seems crual and disgusting but it is Nature law. The fight lasted 10 minutes and there were just 5 minutes between the first severe wound and the Gazelle's death.

Thanks to our guides Ruto and Tim from Melting Pot Safaris.