Watch the sighting here:
Game ranger Michael Tilley submitted his record of the incident to Latest Sightings. He witnessed the sighting — a combination of poor decision-making and excellent strategy — with his guests at MalaMala Game Reserve.
The set-up
Michael said that he found three cheetahs resting near the reserve’s airstrip. The group, a mother and two sub-adult offspring soon started heading towards an open area, presumably to look for prey.
Consequently anticipating their movement, Tilley circled ahead and positioned his vehicle overlooking the open area. There, he re-located the trio resting on a small termite mound.
Herd of impala
Some distance away, a herd of impala were peacefully grazing. Initially, Michael didn’t expect much but his guests hoped to see the cheetahs hunt so they waited.
Rule breaker
Later, one of the impala ewes made a decision that went against everything a herding antelope should do if it wants to live.
With the wind at its back, it broke away from the safety of the herd and walked directly towards the mound behind which the cheetahs were hidden.
Dinner serves itself
As for the cheetahs, this was a dream come true. Normally, they would have to use stealth to get within striking distance of their prey.
In this instance, their next meal practically walked up to them. All they had to do was patiently wait behind the termitaria.
Additionally, by keeping a low profile, they allowed their camouflage to do the rest; blending their prone forms into the background. It was so effective, that even when the impala looked right at them, they remained undetected.
On your marks. Get set. GO!!!
As the antelope approached, the cheetahs crouched low, preparing to spring their ambush. The impala stopped suddenly. It had finally spotted the predators.
And with that, the chase was on. One of the sub-adults was first off the mark, with its sibling close on its heels.
However, their mother — boasting superior strength and speed — soon led the chase. She wasn’t about to lose this prize to the impatience of teenagers.
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Futile flight
Meanwhile, the shocked impala bolted and initially ran towards its herd. The herd, however, seeing the oncoming quartet instinctively turned and ran in the opposite direction.
The impala’s next option was to try to out-manoeuvring its pursuers. Jinking to the left, it sought to escape using agility.
Unfortunately, this too proved to be the wrong decision. As it turned, it came face-to-face with the third cheetah who’d been lagging behind.
Nowhere left to turn
With nowhere left to run, the impala’s fate was sealed as the three cheetahs closed in. Aided by her cubs, the mother quickly brought their prize to the ground.
As is true of their kind, the youngsters immediately began to feed, while their mother clamped her jaws on the impala’s throat. Cheetahs lose up to 15% of their kills to other predators and scavengers, so there was no time to waste.
Tilley said that although a nearby leopard did not interfere with the cheetah’s meal, later that morning one of the resident male lions stole it from them.
We can only hope they’d gained sufficient sustenance, as their next hunt would probably not be as easy.
Lay of the land
Tilley’s knowledge of the terrain and animal behaviour enabled him to position his group perfectly for the action that followed.
When on safari, this sort of experience often makes the difference between having a good versus a great game drive.