Hunting on the vast plains of Africa presents challenges for cheetahs, as they lack natural vantage points to spot their prey. But one clever cheetah found an unexpected solution.
In a rare and heart-pounding moment, a group of tourists in Kenya’s Masai Mara was surprised when a cheetah leaped onto the roof of their open-topped safari jeep.
The predator casually prowled along the vehicle’s edges, using it as a perch to scan the surrounding area for antelope.
Despite being mere inches from the tourists, the cheetah paid them little attention, focusing on its search for food.
Richard Costin, a 30-year-old expedition leader from Kent, was among the tourists. Though initially startled, he kept calm and captured the once-in-a-lifetime moment in a series of photographs.
Reflecting on the encounter, Costin shared, “I had heard that cheetahs occasionally jump onto vehicles for a better view, but seeing it firsthand was unbelievable.”
Costin explained that cheetahs in the Masai Mara typically see safari vehicles as part of the landscape, posing no threat. “They’re used to the jeeps, and I think they view us as just another part of the vehicle,” he added.
While cheetahs are known to be the least dangerous big cats in the Mara, this behavior is still quite rare.
Costin noted that his guide was comfortable allowing the cheetah on the vehicle, which would never happen with other, more dangerous cats.
In a later encounter with the same cheetah, a passing moped about 200 meters away startled the animal, causing it to leap from the vehicle and run off.
According to Costin, this suggests that cheetahs perceive certain unfamiliar sounds or objects as threats, unlike the safari jeeps they frequently see.
While other tour vehicles arrived to catch a glimpse of the cheetah on the jeep, many eventually moved on to spot other animals.
Costin, however, chose to remain, hoping for a more unique experience. “I like to stick around, especially when a cat is on the hunt. That’s how you get those special shots, not just the typical tourist pictures,” he said.
His patience paid off. After about 30 minutes, the cheetah spotted its target from the top of the jeep and began stalking.
Costin and his group were fortunate to witness the entire hunt and its successful outcome. “It was an unforgettable day,” he recalled, “capturing the hunt and the kill was truly magical.”
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