The Hunger Games: Cheetahs, jackals and a brown hyena battle for a meal

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is fast becoming a favourite destination for wildlife-seekers from Southern Africa and beyond. And it's not hard to see why. Home to some of the continent's most prolific wildlife, many an unforgettable animal encounter has been had in this arid park. Michele Nel and her husband are the latest on the list of lucky tourists to have experienced some incredible animal action in Kgalagadi. Courtesy of the Wild Card blog, here's a sequence of extraordinary images that showcase the sighting of a lifetime. Michele Nel recounts the story below ...

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The hyena temporarily abandons the carcass and gives chase.

This sighting took place on our very first morning in the park. We had overnighted in Augrabies and had driven straight through to Urikaruus. The next day we were ready to leave as soon as the gates opened. It was freezing and an effort, but we would later find out that it was worth it. A special surprise awaited us.

Part 1: Tug-of-war

Just before the turn-off to 13th Borehole we saw a few jackals running across the riverbed. The next minute we spotted two cheetahs with a kill on the side of the road.

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Two cheetahs feasting on a hard-earned meal.

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A third cheetah returns after chasing off a pesky jackal.

I was frantically taking photos, stressing about the fact that it was straight into the sun. Once I realised that the cheetahs were not going to abandon their kill I calmed down and spent a few minutes thinking how best I could photograph them.

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All three cheetahs settle down to feed on a fresh springbok kill.

Arrival of a brown hyena

Soon after, my husband, announced in a very excited voice: ”We have company!”

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A brown hyena arrives on the scene

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Cheetah #3 also noticed the newcomer.

What excitement. We just knew we were in for something special. A brown hyena was running towards us! I snapped away through the windscreen. The other two cheetahs frantically grabbed a few more mouthfuls.

And the brown hyena came closer. We held our breath. What would happen now?

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The brown hyena didn't waste any time ...

The hyena ran straight up to the kill and claimed ownership. All three cheetahs stood back as if they had no idea what to do.

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The brown hyena snatches the kill.

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The hyena tries to drag the carcass away.

Was this it? Were the cheetahs just going to stand there and let the hyena take their kill? Was this the end of our sighting?

Kalahari feast

While the hyena tried to drag the kill away one of the cheetahs moved in. At this point we began cheering for the cheetah!

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One of the cheetahs decides to fight back.

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Tug-of-war ...

There was a bit of a tug-of-war but the cheetah lost.

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The cheetah loses the fight.

The other two moved in but they were not very brave in their attack. And the hyena decided it was time to get stuck in. That seemed to irritate one of the cheetahs even further so a bit of a tussle followed. Again the hyena won.

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Two of the cheetahs make a move to win back their meal.

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Will a two-pronged attack see off the hyena thief?

We were also puzzled: surely three cheetahs could take on one hyena? Through all of this the hyena tried to drag the kill away. The cheetahs tried to regain their breakfast but gave up very easily. It looked as if they were unsure of what to do.

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Another attempt to regain the carcass fails.

The hyena picked up the carcass – intent on taking it away. But again the cheetahs moved in and the hyena dropped the carcass and gave chase.

The hyena temporarily abandons the carcass and gives chase.

We wished the cheetahs would combine forces and attack the hyena but that never seemed to happen. One cheetah would have a moment of bravery and the other two would watch.

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One of the cheetahs moves in to reclaim the meal, while the backup team follows closely behind.

Eventually all three took a breather. The hyena was very engrossed in the carcass and after finding the liver, ran off to eat this delicacy. This gave the cheetahs a chance to move in and reclaim their kill.

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After winning the battle, the hyena helps itself to some springbok liver.

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The cheetahs reclaim their kill ...

The black-backed jackals were not far off and moved in to grab the stomach that had fallen by the wayside.(At this stage I felt that my stomach was about to fall by the wayside as well!).

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Black-backed jackals move in to grab the dislodged springbok stomach ... yum!

Another jackal moved in but it was obvious he was a junior. It was interesting to watch how he cowered to his elders and acted very subserviently. After a while he was allowed a morsel or two.

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A young jackal tries to sneak a taste of the spoils.

By now the thief was having a difficult time trying to hang onto his stolen goods. Fifteen jackals had moved in and we all know how cunning they can be!