Juvenile Martial Eagle Catches Mongoose

Londolozi Guest July 31, 2012 8

A phenomenal sighting captured by our recent guest, Tara L Waters, of a juvenile martial eagle catching a banded mongoose. Ranger James Tyrrell believes that this may have been one of the first independent hunting experiences for this young martial eagle. When they arrived at the scene, the eagle was on the ground with the mongoose pinned in its talons. It did not seem to know what to do next, however, as the poor mongoose’s tail could still occasionally be seen to flick. Eventually the juvenile martial flew off with its prey to a nearby marula tree, and the vice-like grip it must have exerted on the mongoose seemed finally to end its struggles. Take a look at these incredible pictures…

We sighted this Juvenile Martial Eagle on the ground and stuck around to watch if further.

The pressure exerted by its talons on the unfortunate mongoose must have been terrific.

The mongoose appeared to still be alive as the eagle flew towards the branches of a sturdy Marula

After a number of unsuccessful attempts at ‘stabbing’ the mongoose, the young eagle eventually managed to make the kill and provide himself with something to eat.

Photographed by: Tara L Waters (Londolozi Guest)

Filed under Guests Photography Wildlife