A wild stag sports the head and antlers of a dead rival as it grazes in undergrowth in Betsukai, Hokkaido. (Keiko Kanasugi)
BETSUKAI, Hokkaido A wildlife photographer captured stunning shots of a wild stag sporting the decapitated head of a rival buck that got lodged in its antlers during a fight.
Images of the gory sight were taken Feb. 14 by Keiko Kanasugi, a nature photographer based in eastern Hokkaido, after she came across the animal grazing in undergrowth in the Notsuke Peninsula of this northern town.
A researcher in the ecology of Hokkaido sika deer the species that inhabits these parts said the two animals presumably butted heads during the autumn rutting season.
流氷を海の中から見てみると……冬のひがし北海道の魅力を味わう:朝日新聞GLOBE+ asahi.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from asahi.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.