A Photographer’s Heartfelt Encounters with a Curious and Affectionate Giant Cat
This photograph captures an incredible moment as a photographer lies in the grass beside a cheetah at an African game reserve.
The predator is the picture of spotty elegance as she poses with the photographer and peers down the camera.
The beautiful beast has her ears pricked, ready to stalk some prey, but luckily seems to have no appetite for the man beside her.
Photographer Chris Du Plessis took this incredible photo at Tshukudu Game Lodge in Hoedspruit, South Africa.
The 39-year-old from Germany used a remote device to capture the shot of himself working as a photographer beside the wild big cat.
The gorgeous female cheetah, named Mtombi, is tame to the camp but still runs wild and hunts for herself.
Chris said, “Mtombi is a rescued cheetah at the Marula camp, Tshukudu Game Lodge in South Africa. The loud sound of her purr is just amazing, and I could feel her warm body against me. I could feel she was relaxed with me next to her.
However, I am still very aware never to trust a wild animal. I was ready for a sudden attack or something, but I could lie there for five minutes quite comfortably.
We found out later that Mtombi had caught wind of a nearby pride of wild lions. In the photo, you can see her sensing their presence.”
This captivating moment in the wild showcases the beauty of nature and the fascinating connection between humans and the animal kingdom. It serves as a reminder of the untamed yet mesmerizing world of Africa’s wildlife.
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