Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Amazing photographs

This is the moment two cheetah cubs finally catch and kill an impala fawn as it desperately tried to run for its life.

These amazing photographs, taken in the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya, show the female cheetah demonstrating to her young the vital skill of how to hunt and kill.

cheetah
cheetahUnder their mother's ever watchful eye, the unskilled hunters watch for vulnerable prey in the planes of the reserve.

Once spotted, the young fawn doesn't stand a chance against the hungry and experienced mother which can chase her to speeds of 70mph.

cheetah
cheetahThe experienced hunter corners and catches the prey and brings it to her offspring so they can learn to do the same.

After watching her corner and the prey the cubs attempt a clumsy chase and after several minutes finally manage to pin the exhausted fawn and eventually kill it.
cheetah
cheetahHunting is the most important lesson the cubs can learn from their as these newly honed skills not only ensure they can hunt for food, but also enables them to avoid predators such as eagles.

Mastering the skill of the hunt will be vital to the cub's survival as they are left to fend for themselves once they reach 18 months of age.

cheetah

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