CHEETAH KILL

Viewing cheetah on Ngala can be difficult at the best of times, but watching them hunt and make a kill is something really special!

Four cheetahs had been found that morning and as it was a hot day we decided to only head towards them in the afternoon! When we arrived the cheetahs were behaving as we had expected; sleeping under a tree! As we had seen almost everything already and cheetahs being a rare sight on Ngala we decided to spend the entire afternoon with them, and what a good decision that was!

As it started to get cooler, a herd of impala had wondered into an open clearing about 200 metres away from the sleeping cats. As the impala got closer and closer the cheetahs started to show a bit more interest. Dusk had set in now, and with the cooler temperature the impala decided that practice fighting was in order. With the impala distracted and it being a perfect light for hunting the 4 animals burst out from there hiding place in the long grass and selected an unlucky impala!

To both my and my guests' amazement the cheetahs closed the gap between themselves and impala in a flash and through the dust we could see 3 cheetahs on an impala's back with 1 around the neck! Before we knew it, it was over and the cats began to feast! Three would eat whille one kept a look out for any unwelcome hyenas!

After 2 years in the bush, it was my first cheetah kill experience; something very special to remember.

Posted: Ngala by Fin Lawlor, Date: 6 February 2012