REEDBUCK RIOT

The three sets of spots glided through the grass. No legs were visible above the tall buffalo grass, but very empty bellies were noticed. Fixed eyes and stern intent oozed from these killing machines.

The sun was setting on another scorching Maputaland afternoon. The colour of their coats resembling the brilliant colour of the late afternoon blaze. Three Cheetah on the prowl in the golden hour of the day.

The Cheetahs we were following consisted of an adult female and her 2 sub-adult daughters. They were walking in an area infested with Common Reedbuck, Duikers and Impala. The female Cheetah walked upfront. The youngsters were half following mom, half playing with each other, caught somewhere between the exuberance of youth and the thrill of the hunt.

It’s common knowledge that the Cheetah is the fastest land mammal on earth. Something that slips the mind is that they can walk pretty darn fast as well. We tried to keep up with her as she strode forward elegantly, as only a cheetah can. She was constantly aware of 360 degrees of potential danger around her. Out of nowhere something rushed and dashed off to her right. She was taken completely off guard and took a leap in the opposite direction. Her gaze quickly focussed on the subject – an adult male reedbuck.

In a flash she was after her quarry. The reedbuck had a head start of at least 60 metres before the cheetah exploded into a full-on sprint. She gained on him within 3 or 4 seconds before she tackled and took him to ground. While she was wrestling the antelope to the ground the cubs arrived on the scene. Mom’s concentration got startled for a short second. This is all the reedbuck needed. With pure brute force he heaved the adult Cheetah off him with his powerful set of horns. She went flying in one direction with the cubs darting off in the other. The reedbuck bounded off with more swagger than was needed. Mom got up, dusted herself off and went to sit with her offspring.

With the hunt being something of the past, a good grooming session ensued. Every now and then her eyes would meet mine. I was struck with immense humility. No other cat has such beauty in their eyes as a Cheetah. Eyes like honey, yet with lethal intention.

Posted: Phinda by Jacques-Pierre Joubert, Date: 3 December 2011