On the move

The cold windy weather and dying grass in the South of Phinda has caused many of the antelope like nyala, impala to move towards the Mountainous region of the game reserve. And the predators have followed. This morning we followed very fat full-bellied cheetah cubs (roughly 4 and a half months old) and the female. At this age the cubs are very inquisitive, and it is when the female will bring a live prey to practice there killing technique on. All the family members had most likely killed under the well light moonlight last night, and moved through the mountain region to find a more open safer place to rest up for the day. Suddenly the body language of the female changed. They watched intently, then she stalked and ran off! We did not know what she was chasing, until a loud Kudu bark echoed from the gully below. She missed. It was all over in a flash, and the eager cubs called for her and joined up again to catch her breathe under an Acacia Tree.

Posted: Phinda by Ryan Archibald, Date: 27 July 2010

 
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