The extraordinary moment saw a family of mongooses forced to stand up and fight against Africa’s largest eagle in the air to save their friend.

A family of mongooses are forced to stand up and fight off Africa’s largest eagle in mid-air as it flies off with one of their friends.

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Ankia Pusey, a guide in the Mjejane Game Reserve, shared her story and images with LatestSightings.com.

“It was a splendid morning, the light streaming down beautifully as I guided my guests on their morning game drive.”

“We came upon an unusual sight: a juvenile Martial eagle, perched rather low on a small shrub. This was odd, as these eagles don’t normally sit that low without reason.”

The Martial Eagle is one of the biggest eagles in the world, with a wingspan of up to 2.6 meters! These eagles hunt during the day and can eat a variety of animals like monkeys, rabbits, mongooses, and even other birds.

“Suddenly, the eagle’s focus turned downward. It was staring intently at the grass under the shrub. We heard a sound—the alarm calls of banded mongooses.”

“Only then did we notice their tiny shadows moving in the grass. That’s when I realized what was happening—the eagle was hunting!”

An amazing display of loyalty as a mongoose attempts to rescue his friend that is caught by an eagle!

“In an instant, the eagle swooped down, talons out; it attacked the mongoose. But the eagle missed its chance. Unperturbed, the eagle returned to the shrub, waiting for another opportunity.”

“Sure enough, it tried once more to catch a mongoose, but again, it was unsuccessful. This time, though, the eagle found itself on the ground.”