Hungry Cheetah Meows for Snack in Close Encounter
Wildlife encounters can be unpredictable and thrilling, especially when they involve one of the fastest animals on the planet — the cheetah. In Namibia, a group of rangers and guests experienced a surprising interaction with a cheetah, demonstrating the unique bond that can form between humans and wildlife. This video of the rangers getting the cheetah to meow, rewarded with a tasty treat, quickly went viral, gaining over 9 million views on TikTok.
Cheetah Approaches
While on a drive in Namibia, rangers and guests come across a cheetah in the grass. Stopping the vehicle, the cheetah approached the vehicle. At first, this may have appeared to be a dangerous situation where a wild cheetah approached the humans looking for a snack, ending in a potential disaster. However, this close encounter was not what it appeared to be at first.
A Friendly Visit
While the driver remained calm, the other ranger began to talk to the cheetah as if they were old friends. It quickly became clear that this was a familiar encounter. The driver made sure not to provoke the cheetah, moving his arm out of the way after noticing the cheetah’s intention to hop onto the front door of the vehicle.
The Cheetah Whisperer
One of the rangers began softly meowing at the cheetah, enticing it to respond back with its own meow. Similar to what you would do to get your domestic cat to meow back, this ranger executed a very accurate imitation of a cheetah’s meow. While it took a few tries, the cheetah finally gave in, letting out a soft meow.
Amused Guests
Like the millions of viewers on TikTok, the guests in the vehicle couldn’t help but laugh at the cheetah’s adorable meow, hearts melting in the process. This demonstrated a trust and familiarity between the ranger and cheetah as if having an everyday conversation, starting with “How are you doing?” This meowing appeared to be a kind of party trick that occurs often between the rangers and the cheetah to amuse the visitors.
The Snack That Started It All
It soon became clear what had caught the cheetah’s interest in the first place. Keen on a snack, the cheetah was less interested in the humans in the vehicle and much more focused on the piece of meat in one of the rangers’ hands. In fact, cheetahs are usually very shy and avoid contact with humans. Cheetahs have no interest in hunting humans — there has never been a recorded case of a cheetah attacking humans in the wild. Using the meat as a pointing stick, the ranger teased the meat to get the cheetah to move to the right and into a better position.
The Hungry Predator
Teasing the piece of meat to the cheetah, the ranger stuck the meat outside the vehicle, over the front door. Hungry for its snack, the cheetah’s animal instincts kicked in, attacking the piece of meat with its poor, letting out its ferocity in a growl. This demonstrated how quickly a cheetah can strike while serving as a reminder to the guests in the vehicle and viewers online that it’s still a wild animal.
A Picky Eater
Eyes stuck on the piece of meat, this cheetah was not yet ready to give up on its snack. The driver tried to reward the cheetah with a small piece of meat. But the cheetah just watched the small piece to the ground, clearly not meeting its satisfaction. It wanted the big one and wouldn’t settle for anything less!
Licking the Bowl Clean
Then the driver started opening his door, which got viewers holding their heads in anticipation and asking, “What are you doing!” Even the cheetah was confused by the driver’s move, peering inside the vehicle and giving a quick growl. Opening and closing the door a few until in the right position, the driver stood up and brought out a white bucket, presumably used to carry the meat. While the cheetah seemed frustrated at first for the delay on its meat, it was quick to start licking up all the bloody juices sitting at the bottom of the bucket. Almost like a pre-appetizer cocktail, giving the cheetah just a taste.
The Ultimate Reward
After licking the bucket clean, the ranger gifted the cheetah with the main meal, throwing the piece of meat a few yards away. The cheetah was quick to hop on its snack, especially after all the fun and games.
Privacy Please
After it had got what it came for, the cheetah stalked back through the grass away from the vehicle. Again, cheetahs are very shy and try to avoid humans. It doesn’t like to eat with a crowd watching, so it will take the snack to a more secluded, private spot where it can enjoy its meal in peace — it certainly earned it!
The Story Behind the Cheetah
As the captions of the video explain, this is no ordinary cheetah encounter on a game drive. Rather, this is taking place in an expansive cheetah enclosure where this cheetah lives. The cheetah was rescued as a baby and raised by the rangers. However, it can’t be released back into the wild. But, make no mistake — this cheetah is no pet. It appears these rangers have made sure not to domesticate the cheetah, raising it in a way to ensure it keeps its wild ways and doesn’t lose its natural instinctive behaviors.
A Special Bond
With that being said, it’s clear there’s a special bond between the rangers and the cheetah. While the rangers still respect the cheetah’s predatorial nature, making sure not to get too close or provoke it, there’s also familiarity (the cheetah also probably knows who gives it food). This video showcases the fascinating bond that can exist between humans and wildlife — one with mutual respect and understanding.
Taming the Untamable?
Interestingly, cheetahs are actually one of the easiest big cats to tame, as they have a more docile nature. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. It’s always best for a cheetah to live in the wild, free of human intervention. Most rescue centers that rescue injured or endangered cheetahs do so with the intention of letting them go again once completely rehabilitated. However, in some cases, for certain reasons, the cheetah is unable to be released into the wild. With a life dependent on humans, it makes sense for the cheetah to be trained to interact with humans safely. These cheetahs can also be used to spread awareness about cheetah conservation, educating visitors about the dangers these beautiful felines face and what we can do to protect them.
Protecting the Fastest Cat
Cheetahs face several significant threats in the wild, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal wildlife trade. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation, creating wildlife corridors, and anti-poaching measures to protect these magnificent animals. Many organizations work tirelessly to ensure cheetahs have a future in the wild, employing strategies such as community-based conservation programs and research initiatives to monitor and support cheetah populations.
The Video
Conclusion
This remarkable encounter in Namibia not only highlights the unique bond between humans and a rescued cheetah but also underscores the importance of conservation efforts. By understanding and respecting these beautiful animals, we can contribute to their survival in the wild.
