Photographers Captured the Moment When Five Cheetahs Crossed a Wild River Teeming with Crocodiles
A cheetah family crossing a flooded river in Kenya is the kind of wildlife moment that feels almost too tense to be real. In the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a group of visitors watched as the animals gathered at the edge of the Talek River, where the current was strong and crocodiles were nearby.
The largest cheetah went first, and the others followed into the water while two photographers, Arnfinn Johansen and Buddhilini De Soyza, captured every second. What happened next turned a routine crossing into a dramatic survival story.
By the time the last cheetah reached the far bank, everyone watching knew they had just seen something unforgettable.
Photographer Arnfinn Johansen stated that he had been following these cheetahs for some time. “They hunt on both sides of the Talek River, so it’s no wonder they wanted to cross it. Normally, they would cross the river by walking on stones, but this year, it had been raining for a long time, and because of the flooding, it was very difficult for them to do so,” Johansen explained. “They were walking up and down the river for quite a while, searching for a place to get to the other side. Because of the strong current, it was really dangerous. Also, that river is home to the Nile crocodile, for whom a cheetah can be an easy meal.”
Johansen said that fatalities were certainly possible that day. “Not long ago, another well-known cheetah drowned or was killed by the crocodiles while crossing the same river, so it really was a big risk. After surveying the area for a long time, the five cheetah brothers decided to go for it.”
“First, the lead cheetah jumped into the river, and two more soon followed. The two smallest cheetahs in the group waited for a few seconds before they followed as well.”
The pack swam as quickly as they could. “You could really see they didn’t like it.” Luckily, all of the cheetahs crossed to the other side alive, and the highlight was when the leader of the pack, after crossing the river, turned back and hissed at it.
Like the cheetah who chased off a mighty lion to defend her cubs, these five kept pushing for the crossing.
the cheetah who chased off a mighty lion to defend her cubs
Here’s what people thought of the amazing photos:
Want another jaw-drop moment, watch the buffalo flip the lion mid-hunt.
Want another jaw-drop moment, watch the buffalo flip the lion mid-hunt.
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