Though the wild dog’s swift hunt wasn’t captured on camera, what followed was extraordinary. Wild dogs rarely hunt alone, but this one did, attracting the attention of a nearby cheetah. With no pack members around, the cheetah seized the opportunity and easily took the impala from the wild dog. Such an act is unusual, as cheetahs are more often victims of food theft than perpetrators.
However, the cheetah’s triumph was short-lived. As it began to enjoy its meal, heavy footsteps signalled impending trouble. The cheetah paused and scanned the bushes, and soon, the famous Red Road Male lion appeared. Despite expectations, the cheetah did not flee at the first sight of the lion, possibly emboldened by its earlier success or driven by hunger.
The lion approached with unwavering focus, and the cheetah held its ground, knowing it couldn’t carry the heavy impala away. Instead, it began vocalizing in frustration as the lion drew nearer. But when the lion started to trot, the cheetah finally dashed into the bushes for safety, leaving the impala behind.
Watch the encounter in the video below courtesy of Latestsightings.com:
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