Stunning Cheetah
November 3, 2019
The African Cheetah is uncommon in the Klaserie. We have been fortunate recently in that we have been encountering them more often. It is always an extremely special sighting. This cat is known for being the fastest animal on land and is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 100 km/h but is successful in hunting at speeds nearer to 60 km/h. The stunning cheetah sighting, seen here, was a real treat for our guests.
The species is classified as vulnerable by IUCN. The usual reasons are habitat loss,human conflict and poaching, for the illegal pet trade. Globally there are only about 7000 cheetahs left in the wild and there is immense pressure on African nations to put conservation measures in place to keep the species viable.
The Kruger National Park is not ideal cheetah habitat as this species is better adapted to large open areas where they can hunt antelope more successfully. They generally hunt impala or steenbok in the Klaserie.
One of the more interesting characteristics of this sleek cat is that is is a very vocal animal with a diverse range of vocalizations such as growling,chirping,bleating,whirring,moaning,hissing,churring,yowling and purring. On our Facebook page there is an older post that has the “chirping” of a cheetah……this chirp is used for many different reasons and can be heard at a distance of up to two kilometers.
To learn more about the African cheetah, see here.
