A Cheetah Family's Tale
Cheetah life in Masai Mara, Kenya
Acinonyx jubatusa, Conservation

Cheetah mom and cubs on Masaai Mara termite mound

It was time for a trip to Africa. We decided on a photographic study of African plains animals at the Masai Mara (Maasai Mara) game reserve in Kenya. The majestic cheetah was on our must see list. Little did we know the impact that the cheetah would have on our lives.

The dawn of our first morning in Kenya, had us awakened by felid alarm clock as a lion roared. We were in Africa! After some preparation and travel, we found ourselves in the bush. Searching the vast African plains to find cheetahs, we spied a cheetah family huddled in brush near a termite mound. We happily stopped to take pictures of a mom and her 5 six month old cubs. About half of cheetah cubs die before they reach 3 months and cheetah litters average 3-5 young, so we were pleased to witness the beautiful rarity of 5 healthy cubs.

After a period of calm, momma cheetah suddenly jumped to the top of a termite mound, using it as a convenient viewing platform. With ears pinned back to pick up sounds, she scanned the horizon for danger. The young cubs stayed put, as they instinctually understood the possibility of danger. With hairs erect on spines, and bodies slung low in the grass, mom led her babies away. It turned out not to be a hungry predator, just a large herd of Cape buffalo headed their way.

We followed the cheetah family for a mile, where mom found a safe location to hide her cubs. Her ribs showed the hunger she suffered as our driver told us she had not eaten in two days. The cubs had to be hungry as they had been weaned from milk and needed mom to catch a meal.

We dedicated our time to the cheetah family, observing two unsuccessful Thompson's Gazelle chases. As the sun began to set on another day in plains, we decided to go back to camp and edit our photos. As we drove away, we observed a dozen lions lying in the grass, only 500 yards from our cheetahs. Lions are a cheetah's natural enemy, as they often kill their cubs to eliminate competition for food. I couldn't help but think of the cheetah family all night, feeling concerned for their safety.

Cheetah mom and cubs hunting from termite mound

The next predawn morning brought the sounds of hippos splashing in the Mara River. We left early, before sunrise, to try and find our beloved cheetah family. Our driver, John, AKA "Eagle Eyes", was an expert safari guide with the patience and skills to find Masai Mara wildlife like no other. Retracing our previous evening route for 2 hours found no cheetahs. Then suddenly, Eagle Eyes whipped out his binoculars, recognizing a tiny distant spec as cheetahs. They were all alive and well!

Soon after nearing their location, we witnessed momma cheetah chasing a gazelle into the brush, but it escaped her deadly grasp. After many hours of constant hunting, she finally took a Thompson's gazelle, but, as soon as the cheetahs sat down to dinner, spotted hyenas slyly stole their meal. In a matter of minutes, three days of work was taken away. To make matters worse, lions were arriving to crash the party as well. The lion pride was no small group at 22 animals, 2 males, 10 females and 10 cubs. The gazelle would be devoured in a flash. Sadly, the cheetahs had to move on without their dinner.

Female cheetah running, hunting prey

Later that afternoon we returned to check on the cheetahs. Mom was still stalking Thompson's gazelle. Like an airplane at takeoff, she ran with such speed that all four of her legs left the ground at once. With a stroke of luck, the determined hunter tripped the back legs of a gazelle, catching and suffocating it quickly. After over 3 days without food, the family of 5 could finally dine. The cub's loving mother allowed them to eat first as she sat atop a termite mound wary of predators. Her trained eyes were very important as lions can smell meat up to 2 miles away.

Female cheetah stalking prey

With cheetah bellies full, and the sun's light fading, we decided to head for camp. The next day, we'd try to find them again to say goodbye. We'd had 5 great days observing the cheetah family, but it was time to move on. With new found insight, we understood this cat's struggle to survive the African plains. We wanted to help somehow.

cheetah mom and cubs rest on termite mound

On arrival back in the U.S., we discovered the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) and decided to help them by using the resources of our nature photography company, Wild At Art. We decided to donate 10% of our cheetah photo print sales to assist the CCF mission to achieve best practice in the conservation and management of the world's cheetahs. We also hope to increase awareness of these majestic animals with this story and by sharing their photographic images with the world. Visit our site to buy photo prints of our favorite felid Wild At Art.

Susann Parker / CritterZone.com / Wild at Art