Mid-air battle between fox and eagle over rabbit caught on video

SAN JUAN ISLAND, Wash. (FOX 13) - An eagle and a fox briefly battled over the same prey, with the tug-of-war going airborne.

Zachary Hartje captured the tussle on San Juan Island Historic Park in Washington state a few days ago. The fox was seen running with a rabbit in the clutches of its mouth.

It turns, and looks in the direction of the incoming eagle, which swoops down, attempting to take the rabbit from the fox. But the fox did not let go, and the eagle lifts both species 20 feet up into the air. Eventually, the eagle prevails, getting the rabbit, and the fox falls to the ground without dinner.

Kevin Ebi, a photographer with livingwilderness.com, said it was a dramatic struggle but the fox appeared uninjured after its landing.