Whilst driving around the reserve after a recent cheetah relocation, the Ashia team with one of the Nkomazi reserve rangers, Jordaan Delveccio, came across a cheetah mother and her 6 two-month old cubs. After some grooming and playing, the mother named Malika, suddenly started to move and had targeted what we thought must be prey - but then a leopard appeared…
First thoughts were that one of the 7 cheetahs, either mother or cubs, were going to be injured or even worse killed, and the encounter would end tragically. Instead, Malika sprinted towards the leopard to protect her litter! The cheetah and leopard were in the bushes for some time, and there was a mounting uncertainty as to whether the cubs were going to see their mother again... they were calling and calling to her to return, and after some time she finally appeared, having defended herself and her family.
Cheetah mothers constantly face the threat of higher predators such as leopard, lion and hyena. It is especially challenging when they have to not only fend for themselves, but also their young. They must leave their babies vulnerable whilst they go in search of food, which often ends in mortalities within the litter.
Thankfully for these cubs, they have a fearless mother who the reserve team have also seen chasing after the lions if they get too close! An incredible sighting and an impressive defence from this cheetah!
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Video at that link and also were I found it
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