The “dramatic baiting action” that happened in the San Juan Island National Historical Park in Washington state – USA was captured in time by two photographers Kevin Ebi and Zachary Hartje.

Mr. Ebi said on May 21 that he had visited the park a few days earlier to observe the red foxes hunting before sunset. One of these foxes caught a rabbit and took it away.

“I took a camera to capture this scene. Then, from behind, I heard the white-headed eagle. I turned around and saw it speeding up,” – photographer Ebi recounted.

Mr. Ebi said the eagle aimed for the rabbit in the fox’s mouth, so he used the camera to capture this scene in quick succession and waited for the eagle to dive.

The fierce tug of war between the eagle and the red fox. Photo: Kevin Ebi

“I was amazed because the scene was more dramatic than I thought. I assumed the fox would release the rabbit for the eagle to have an easy dinner. But instead, the fox kept the rabbit tightly in his mouth and was attacked. followed by the eagle. The eagle then lifted both the fox and the rabbit into the sky, creating a more dramatic confrontation,” – the photographer said.

The red fox is determined not to release its prey… Photo: Kevin Ebi

The confrontation lasted for about 8 seconds at a height of 6m when both refused to give up their prey. Finally, the eagle snatches the rabbit from the fox’s mouth, then drops the opponent to the ground.

Mr Ebi added: “Don’t worry, the fox is fine. It escaped the confrontation and continued to play with the other foxes. I took a picture of it after the above encounter and could not detect any scratches. any”.

According to photographer Ebi, red foxes do not usually hunt rabbits, but eat berries, insects and hamsters.

… but eventually succumbed to a fierce opponent. Photo: Kevin Ebi