Getting Caught Out

Cheetah viewing at Exeter has been pretty good the last few weeks as we have enjoyed a big male moving around on the clearings to the south. Yesterday, while following him he stopped at the base of a Weeping Wattle tree to scent mark. The question was inevitable, “do cheetah climb trees?” I looked at the tree and explained to the guests why I felt it was unlikely and I suggested that the may use a nearby termite mound as a lookout instead. I had barely completed the sentence when the Cheetah jumped effortlessly up into the tree, moved towards the top and scanned for any potential prey. We all laughed and clicked away as the morning light caught his eye from his new vantage point.

Posted: &BEYOND Exeter Lodges by Brendan Streak, Date: 13 July 2008