Kruger guide Mark Fox submitted this video to Latest Sightings. He captured the action on the S28 in the southern Kruger National Park, South Africa.
There for the taking
As Mark’s video begins, a pair of vultures and an oncoming black-backed jackal tell us there is food for the taking. Both species are scavengers, surviving for the most part on abandoned carcasses caught by other scavengers.
It is not clear which of the species arrived first. However, what soon becomes clear is that the cheeky jackal wants it all to himself.
Get out of here!
As the jackal rushes in, the vultures take flight. Despite its fearsome-looking beak, a vulture stands little chance against an angry (much less a ‘hangry’) jackal.
However, the vultures are hungry too, so they don’t fly too far. This leads to something of a stalemate.
And, as a result, neither the jackal nor the vultures are doing much eating.
Growing frustration
As the video continues, the jackal grows increasingly frustrated as the vultures stubbornly refuse to leave. Consequently, he charges repeatedly…
At one point, the jackal takes a massive leap as he launches himself once more at his rivals.
To Mark’s delight, he manages to capture a sequence of photos of the leap, as all four of the dogs’ paws are airborne.
However, the jackals’ acrobatics are having little impact on the pesky vultures.
If at first you don’t succeed…
Still determined to claim the carcass for himself, the determined jackal continues his fruitless charges.
Subsequently, the flying “fox” suddenly grabs a vulture, surprising everyone present: Mark, the vultures, and especially the jackal.
As the vulture lets out a squawk, the pair crashes back to Earth. However, the jackal doesn’t press home its attack, much to the vulture’s relief.
Undeterred
Even after watching one of their own nearly get mauled, the vultures refuse to back down. They seem confident they’ll win this battle through numerical superiority.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Equally determined
Even so, the jackal appears just as determined to stand its ground. Having tasted feathers, he redoubles his efforts to chase the birds off.
Eventually, his persistence seems to pay off as the vultures back off. For now, at least, the jackal may be able to enjoy his hard-earned meal in peace.
That said, we have little doubt the vultures will return. Nature’s cleaning crew have a job to do, and they won’t let this setback put them out of work.
Scavenger hierarchy
As with predators, there is a pecking order amongst scavengers. On top of the heap are hyenas, followed by jackals and, lastly, vultures.
But did you know there is a hierarchy amongst vultures?
In South Africa, the lappet-faced vulture is dominant, using its strength to tear open carcasses. Next, other strong-beaked species like the Cape and white-backed vultures feed mainly on soft tissue. Lastly, hooded vultures subsist on whatever scraps they can pick up around the fringes.
Interestingly, this hierarchy also appears in the altitudes at which the birds fly. It is thought that each species watches the ‘layer’ below them.
That way, when a low-flying species, such as a hooded vulture, spots a carcass, those above begin their descent, sometimes from dozens of kilometres away.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
Be the first to comment on this article!