The “air tug” between an eagle and a red fox was recorded by a wildlife photographer at San Juan Island National Historical Park, in Washington state, USA. The photographer captured the moment the eagle tried to snatch its prey from the red fox in a struggle at an altitude of about 6m.

Mr. Ebi said 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 the camera to capture this scene. Then, from behind, I heard the bald eagle. I turned around and saw it speeding up,” – photographer Ebi said.

“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 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.