Deon Strydom submitted this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed the incident while on a game drive in South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park.
Mother cheetah
In the opening scene of the video, an adult female cheetah walks through lush vegetation. By her posture, we can tell that she is in hunting mode.
As she stalks, we note that she has a tracking collar. Researchers put these on various cheetahs in the park to monitor their movements, behaviour and habitat use.
Second cheetah on the prowl
The video then cuts to a new scene, showing a young cheetah running off into the dense roadside vegetation. Notably, this animal has no collar. It is the cub of the first cheetah seen.
This youngster is also on the hunt. With its head raised, it is trying to spot prey amongst the scattered bushes.
The camera then pans to show a herd of impala on the adjacent slope. They are aware of the cheetah’s presence and running to escape them.
Cheetahs are most successful hunting in open country where they can use their speed to maximum effect. However, their extreme manoeuvrability makes them adept hunters in more confined environments.
Hot pursuit
After losing sight of the cheetah for a moment, Deon relocates it, sprinting towards the impalas’ nursery herd.
Impala lambs gather in these “creches” as a defensive strategy, where safety in numbers means the majority will escape predatory attempts.
Chirping cheetah
Subsequently, we see the young cheetah standing alone while emitting a high-pitched chirping sound. At its feet, we can just make out the tawny colours of its prey.
The youngster is communicating that it has food and summoning others to share the feast.
Lamb for dinner
The video then cuts to the youngster dragging its prize, an impala lamb. Probably more so than other big cats, female cheetahs actively encourage their young to attempt hunts.
In this instance, the cub seems to have learnt its lessons well
Look ma!
Next, we see the cub rejoin its mother, proudly showing off its prize.
It is at this point that we learn that the mother cheetah has also managed to catch one of the impala lambs.
Despite being reunited, the pair are in no hurry to start eating. Typically, cheetahs eat as soon as possible to mitigate against losing their food to larger predators.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Dinner bell
However, in this instance, both mother and cub continue to vocalise. A short while later, we find out why when a third cheetah arrives on the scene.
Immediately, the new arrival starts ripping at the carcass. As it does, yet another young cheetah joins them.
With the family reunited and the successful hunters recovered from their exertions, all four settle down to eat.
Deadly mothers
Female cheetahs actively start teaching their young to hunt from a young age. At six weeks of age, the cubs follow their mother on hunts, observing her as they do.
On occasions when she catches small prey, like hares, live, she will release them to the cubs and encourage them to practice their skills.
At 7 months, the cubs start to actively hunt their chosen targets, and by a year, are themselves accomplished hunters of small to medium prey.
Although cubs may stay with their mother for up to two years, they can live independently from a year to eighteen months of age.
At this point, the group normally splits, as the mother prepares to raise a new litter.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
Be the first to comment on this article!