TWO CHEETAHS ON A NYALA KILL

As we left the lodge on morning game drive we heard that another vehicle had found the coalition of two male cheetahs on a nyala kill close to the staff village. We headed straight that way.

When we arrived the two males were lying in the shade of a tree panting. Their bellies were already so full and they had just eaten the one rump and shoulder of this adult male nyala. The carcass was lying right next to the main access route to the lodges and there were many curious people stopping to get part of the action.

After about ten minutes one of the males stood up and walked across to the kill and started feeding. It was incredible to hear the noise and watch as he used his premolars to shear through the skin with precision. When they were both too full to eat anymore, they wandered off along the road and rested in the shade.

Vultures, both White-backed and Lapped-faced, as well as a few Marabou Storks were circling, but too shy to land with all the commotion. By that same afternoon though only a skeleton remained.

Posted: Phinda by Felicity Swanepoel, Date: 15 September 2010