Cheetah takes Springbok

by Bob Shepardson
(DeBary, Fl U.S.A.)

Cheetah 1

Cheetah 1

Sherry and I were driving down a small hill and in front of us a large group of springbok were grazing, suddenly they all started to run in several directions. In the middle of the group I saw a cheetah trip a young animal and take it to the ground. We immediately pulled over and I started taking photos while Sherry took video, about 20 minutes worth. This is the first kill that we have seen much less been able to photograph. Earlier we were able to photograph two cheetah chasing a large group of Oryx, which is another post.


In the first photo the animal is still fully active while controlled by the cheetah. It moved from holding the back of the neck to the front to choke out the animal. it then rested looked for other predators and moved it under a tree.

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Jul 03, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Superb pics!
by: Harold

What a great sequence of images
May 10, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Start to Finish
by: Jen

Well done Bob and Sherry, it is not easy to photograph these guys in action and to see the whole thing from start to finish. It is all about timing and being quick on the button, great shots.
May 10, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Comment to Anne
by: Bob Shepardson

Anne, It is significantly more open then Kruger as you note. This shot is technically in a river bed. The cat is on the far side of the river from the road, but certainly in the open. It is very rare to have water in the river. Maybe once every 20 years. It must have been different in the past, as if you go to Unions End, the sign mentions that it was at this point that river traffic was stopped early in the 20th century. Not because of lack of water, but rather politics. Bottom line the Kalahari is a great place to photograph Cheetah. We'll be back in a couple of months.
May 09, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Nice sequence of photos
by: Anne

I cannot believe how open it is - in the Kruger we would see just the top of the cheetah's head and a tail, maybe!
May 07, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wow - great sighting and photos!
by: Jim

We've seen a few chases but no kills or arrived long after the kill so your timing was spot on!

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