Jackal on eland

A Black-backed jackal on a eland carcass killed by lions a day before

Just north of Kij Kij waterhole in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a pride of lions had brought down an eland the previous day. When we arrived at the scene early the following morning, the lions had already abandoned the kill. Scattered around the carcass were about fifteen black-backed jackals, all waiting impatiently for their chance to feed. Once the lions moved off, the atmosphere changed instantly — the jackals began competing fiercely with one another, each trying to establish dominance and secure access to the remains of the kill.