While driving slowly back to Satara Rest Camp along the S100 one evening, we came across a mixed group of Impalas and Baboons peacefully whiling away the final minutes of sunlight at Shibotwana waterhole. It is then that we noticed a Black-backed Jackal moving through the group, obviously looking for an easy meal. The Jackal spied a young Baboon and gave it a little more attention than the Baboon wanted; it shrieked and set off running towards its mother and then things took a very quick turn for the worse for the Jackal, who managed to escape a serious hiding by the skin of his teeth!
Black-backed Jackal eyeing a young Chacma Baboon
The little Baboon starts running to safety, raising the alarm
And here comes mom to his rescue!
Baboon chasing a Black-backed Jackal
Baboon chasing a Black-backed Jackal
Baboon chasing a Black-backed Jackal
DeWetsWild 
Your title was what caught my eye from the beginning. It demands more dialog. I bookmarked the link with the hopes that some “story” will lodge in my brain and my heart too; however, this really belongs to you and to the wild ones featured here. What characters, what story could be told with such fervor as you have shown here.
Thank you sincerely, Beth. We were very fortunate and deeply grateful to be in the right place at the right time to witness it play out, which it would’ve regardless whether we were there to see it or not.
That momma baboon is certainly a force to be reckoned with. The jackal really did take a chance here and almost got the hiding of his life. 😅
Sometimes the gamble probably pays off, and I think despite this close shave the jackal will keep trying!
Wow, incredible images!
Thank you, Terri – lucky to be in the right place at the right time!
Moet nooit ‘n ma onderskat nie!
Baie goeie raad daai, Tina!
Oh, I love this story and the accompanying sequence of images! A very special moment to witness.
Thank you very much! We did have a little chuckle at the jackal’s expense. 😉
Life’s drama unfolding before your lens!
Indeed, Robert. What a privilege!
This a really good storytelling series!
Thank you, P J B!
No imagination needed for this real-life drama, which is a privilege to observe.
We were really lucky to be in the right place at the right time, Anne, and paying attention to small details also helps (so many people drove past as they only saw baboons and impalas…)
Mama Baboon is a fighter indeed! I would not want to cross her path 🙂
A wonderful moment for you and your family.
Indeed it was, thank you Takami! Hope you are having a lovely time this weekend.
Don’t mess with mama! Glad this ended well for the little one.
Indeed, Lois. Jackals are extreme opportunists and won’t let such a chance pass it by.
That’s the kind of drama we often see on nature documentaries. But, truth is, I like reading your photo essays better!
Thank you, Jane! We’re grateful for having been there to see it play out in real life.
The jackal made a huge mistake and almost paid the price. A mother baboon has longer teeth than the jackal! Great photo series. 🙂
Baboons are quite fierce, as you say, H.J., and the jackal can thank his lucky stars!