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Negotiating territorial rights in the Kgalagadi desert · **4 Likes**

These two gemsbok bulls did not like each other. They had a full go at each other lasting about 20 minutes, and we could see them getting exhausted until one of them final gave up and moved away. These battles take place over the herd females and territory and can end very badly for one or both combatants.

**rm2** · 05-12-2021, 08:21 AM - **1 Like**

Amazing captures!

Dennis Forster · 05-12-2021, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by rm2

Amazing captures!

Thank you!

**MikeNArk** · 05-12-2021, 01:05 PM - **1 Like**

Great shots. It's interesting that while these two battle, that the rest of the herd seems to be grazing, paying no attention to the action.

lesmore49 · 05-12-2021, 01:11 PM - **1 Like**

Interesting pictures. I note that there is some kind of canid close by as the battle rages on. Do animal predators sometimes take advantaged of the exhausted, possibly damaged bucks, finish them off and eat them after these battles ?

**PJ1** · 05-12-2021, 03:40 PM - **1 Like**

Good shots. You were lucky to be on the spot for that. The jackal in the first pic was less interested. Probably sees these battles every other day.

SimplyCreativePhotography · 05-12-2021, 05:15 PM - **1 Like**

The first one with the dirt flying is my favourite.

STARHUNTER94 · 05-12-2021, 05:19 PM - **1 Like**

I'd love to be out there with those kind of subjects. Thanks for sharing

cymric · 05-12-2021, 07:32 PM - **1 Like**

Great action captured.

mee · 05-12-2021, 07:44 PM - **1 Like**

Did you get in line and challenge the alpha Gemsbok? Just remember head down and remember to follow through!

Dennis Forster · 05-13-2021, 05:23 AM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Interesting pictures. I note that there is some kind of canid close by as the battle rages on. Do animal predators sometimes take advantaged of the exhausted, possibly damaged bucks, finish them off and eat them after these battles ?

That is a black backed jackal. They would not pose any threat to an adult gemsbok. At some stage during this encounter, a gemsbok shoo'ed the jackal away with lowered horns and a threatening gesture.

---------- Post added 05-13-21 at 05:23 AM ----------

Originally posted by mee

Did you get in line and challenge the alpha Gemsbok? Just remember head down and remember to follow through!

I left my set of sabres at home.

Dennis Forster · 05-13-2021, 05:29 AM

I love interspecies interactions in the wild.

---------- Post added 05-13-21 at 05:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by MikeNArk

Great shots. It's interesting that while these two battle, that the rest of the herd seems to be grazing, paying no attention to the action.

The womenfolk don't concern themselves too much with men's business.

bdery · 05-13-2021, 06:18 AM - **1 Like**

The second and third are just amazing!

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05-12-2021, 08:21 AM - 1 Like	#2
rm2 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hudson Valley - NY Posts: 778	Amazing captures!

05-12-2021, 08:25 AM	#3
Dennis Forster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cape Town Posts: 244 Original Poster	Originally posted by rm2 Amazing captures! Thank you!

05-12-2021, 01:05 PM - 1 Like	#4
MikeNArk Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 15,239	Great shots. It's interesting that while these two battle, that the rest of the herd seems to be grazing, paying no attention to the action.

05-12-2021, 01:11 PM - 1 Like	#5
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,350	Interesting pictures. I note that there is some kind of canid close by as the battle rages on. Do animal predators sometimes take advantaged of the exhausted, possibly damaged bucks, finish them off and eat them after these battles ?

05-12-2021, 03:40 PM - 1 Like	#6
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,486	Good shots. You were lucky to be on the spot for that. The jackal in the first pic was less interested. Probably sees these battles every other day.

05-12-2021, 05:15 PM - 1 Like	#7
SimplyCreativePhotography Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Drayton, Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 264	The first one with the dirt flying is my favourite.

05-12-2021, 05:19 PM - 1 Like	#8
STARHUNTER94 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 771	I'd love to be out there with those kind of subjects. Thanks for sharing

05-12-2021, 07:32 PM - 1 Like	#9
cymric Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Bhubaneswar; A State in the East of India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 296	Great action captured.

05-12-2021, 07:44 PM - 1 Like	#10
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Did you get in line and challenge the alpha Gemsbok? Just remember head down and remember to follow through!

05-13-2021, 05:23 AM	#11
Dennis Forster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cape Town Posts: 244 Original Poster	Originally posted by lesmore49 Interesting pictures. I note that there is some kind of canid close by as the battle rages on. Do animal predators sometimes take advantaged of the exhausted, possibly damaged bucks, finish them off and eat them after these battles ? That is a black backed jackal. They would not pose any threat to an adult gemsbok. At some stage during this encounter, a gemsbok shoo'ed the jackal away with lowered horns and a threatening gesture. ---------- Post added 05-13-21 at 05:23 AM ---------- Originally posted by mee Did you get in line and challenge the alpha Gemsbok? Just remember head down and remember to follow through! I left my set of sabres at home.

05-13-2021, 06:18 AM - 1 Like	#13
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	The second and third are just amazing!

Nature Negotiating territorial rights in the Kgalagadi desert

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