Experience the thrill as a cheetah charges at a herd of wildebeest. Will speed and agility win, or will the prey outsmart the predator?
Mark Fox witnessed this epic scene while traveling through the Kruger National Park in South Africa. A small herd of wildebeest was relaxing in the bush, basking in the sun. Not far away, three cheetahs lay in the shade, watching the wildebeest closely.
At first, the wildebeest seemed unaware of the imminent threat. Soon though, one member of the herd spotted the big cats watching them, and a chase began.
In a flash, one of the cheetahs zoomed after the wildebeest. Unfortunately, it was too slow. This may seem surprising, but cheetahs often miss their meals. Sometimes they may be tired from the heat, as was probably the case with this cat.
The wildebeest may practice zig-zagging maneuvers to escape the claws of the cheetah. Running in a herd also helps protect the wildebeest, as it can throw off the cheetah and force it to choose which antelope to attack.
Here we see the cheetah hanging its head in shame after missing its lunch. Soon, it and the rest of the cheetahs will move on to easier prey for their dinner.