Searching for a cheetah at Londolozi is often described as looking for a needle in a haystack. This rare and elusive predator roams the southwestern parts of the reserve, where the open plains offer glimpses of its preferred habitat. For us rangers, the thrill of tracking a cheetah is matched only by the need to manage expectations—after all, the odds of finding one are slim. But as we set off on this particular morning, we were excited about the possibility that we might find one.
Over the past few months, Londolozi has been graced by the presence of a remarkable mother cheetah raising three cubs against incredible odds. Some of my best cheetah sightings ever have occurred in just the past couple of weeks. Life for this cheetah family is filled with danger: from being tormented by other predators and scavengers in the area to having their hard-earned meals stolen almost every time, it’s clear that life for this cheetah family is incredibly challenging. If there’s one animal on the reserve that exemplifies resilience, it’s this mother cheetah. If I were a betting person, I’d wager that they have the hardest life on the entire reserve.
The female cheetah and her three cubs.
The Search and the Stalk
On a recent game drive, our perseverance was rewarded and we shared a once-in-a-lifetime sighting with our guests and this cheetah family. We found the female cheetah crouched low, intently watching a mother wildebeest and her newborn calf, still wobbly on its legs, it must have only been hours old. The scene was intense, with predator and prey separated by just 150 meters.
As she slowly edged closer, she carefully assessed the situation, ensuring she wasn’t putting herself at risk from the potentially dangerous force of the adult wildebeest.
Then, in a flash, she exploded into a sprint.
Watching a cheetah in full stride is an unforgettable sight.
There’s something truly special about watching any predator in hunt mode, as we watched this cheetah sprint across the open plains, I could feel the excitement and awe radiating from everyone on the back of the vehicle.
A Mother’s Triumph
In mere seconds, the chase was over. The mother cheetah had successfully brought down the calf, a feat that required not just speed but strategy and courage. But her work wasn’t done. The commotion had attracted attention, with the alarm calls of the wildebeest herd likely to draw in any unwanted competition. Despite being drained from the sprint, she dragged her kill roughly 200 meters to a safer spot, away from prying eyes and potential threats.
Reuniting With Her Cubs
Once she secured the carcass, the mother cheetah called for her cubs. Standing over her kill, she let out soft, distinct chirps and it was truly an amazing moment to witness. Moments later, the three young cheetahs came running toward the sound of their mother’s calls, bounding toward her with uncontainable excitement.
Watching the cubs reunite with their mother was a moment of pure magic. It’s remarkable how these young cheetahs instinctively understand the importance of allowing their mother to hunt while waiting for her signal that it is safe to join her.
After seeing the three cubs re-join with their mother we decided to leave them be, we didn’t want to draw any more attention to the already sensitive situation. In the end, witnessing this mother cheetah’s determination and the incredible bond she shares with her three cubs is a powerful reminder of the resilience of these wild animals.
Against all odds, she has managed to raise her cubs, protecting them from countless dangers. Her careful hunting strategy, coupled with her cubs’ intelligence and patience, was an experience we will never forget. Watching them navigate the challenges of survival in such a harsh environment only deepens my appreciation for this cheetah family’s journey.
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