The gazelle confronts the martial eagle, the largest eagle in Africa, in a dramatic attempt to save its young from the predator’s claws.
A mother gazelle confronts a martial eagle. (Video: Latest Sightings)
The Great Plains Protection travel and conservation company shared footage of a remarkable encounter between a gazelle and a martial eagle at the Mara Plains camp in the Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya, as reported by Latest Sightings on December 8.
During a tour with guests, the guide noticed unusual activity in the sky. A martial eagle was diving rapidly, potentially preparing to catch something. Initially, the tour group couldn’t see what the eagle was targeting. However, as the predator landed, they discovered a young gazelle hiding in the grass.
The eagle seized the young gazelle before the small animal could react. But hope remained, as the mother gazelle was nearby. She observed the large eagle and charged at it to confront the threat.
The eagle caught the young gazelle before it could do anything.
In a moment of bravery, the mother gazelle managed to push the eagle away, forcing the predator to retreat a few meters. However, the size and ferocity of the eagle proved too much for the mother gazelle. The predator then returned, tightly grasping the young gazelle in its talons. Ultimately, the mother gazelle realized she could not defeat the martial eagle and had to retreat.
The martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is the largest eagle in Africa. With a wingspan of up to 2.6 meters, this bird is renowned for its strength and hunting abilities. It preys on various animals, including small gazelles, monkeys, large birds, and even reptiles. Despite its impressive hunting skills, the martial eagle faces significant challenges due to habitat loss and is classified as endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
