Image of the Day - Andy Rouse
For many youngsters, lessons have a tendency to feel long, interminably boring and difficult to sit still through. Not, however, if you’re a cheetah cub in Africa undergoing a masterclass in hunting from your very impressive mother.
This extraordinary photograph and the series that accompanies it were taken in Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve by environmental photographer Andy Rouse. The images show a female cheetah demonstrating to her young the first rules of survival in the wild - how to hunt and kill. For the cubs, this is the most important lesson they will learn from their mother. Their survival depends on being able to hunt for food and avoid predators.
In this stunning series of images, Rouse captures the entire cycle, except whatever follows the young gazelle’s last attempt to escape. A part of us hopes for its successful getaway, yet we understand this vital part of nature and marvel at its brutal perfection.
Andy Rouse is a professional wildlife photographer based in the U.K. His professional credits include hosting the Discovery Channel’s Wildlife Photographer TV series, and the publication of six books.
Doug
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Amazing! I would have paid a month's wages to have been there to see this.
I had seen this photo over the weekend but without the others or the story of what was happening. It was just something about how the cheeta had become friends with the little gazelle. Thanks for the real story and the other photos. They are amazing!
Absolutely awesome series of shots! I also saw this image recently with a caption that read something like, "Gee Mom, why am I different?" So it wasn't one of the usual one species adopting another but one learning to kii the other.
I realize it is nature's way, but it still is sad.
PLEASE tell me the little gazelle escaped! PLEASE!
An interesting series of images. The one of the cheeta in pursuit of the gizelle is especially striking. The blur shows the speed of the action moments before the takedown. That one I will try to buy and hand in my home.
Great photo story! It is nature and survival of the fittest.
Marvelous photo sequence! Nature is, as you said, brutal.
Oh, I feel sad for the poor gazelle but know that, were it not this way, the cheetah would starve. I do not think I could have watch what most likely followed. Maybe the photographer decided not to publish the rest of the story, allowing us hope.
Wish I had been there. I added it to my bucket list!
That is so sad! The poor little animal! I know, it is part of nature but I feel so sorry for the little gazelle after being used for play and traumatized like that, then they probably killed and ate him! Nature can be so cruel.
Awesome photo story of how animals teach their young. Nature is awesome if we get a chance to examine it. Thanks to the photographer for the chance to see what many never do.
Awwwww....
It is a cute picture but belies what is really happening to the poor gazelle. Nature may be brutal but it is beautifully amazing in its perfection.
So many of you have asked about Andy Rouse and where you can find more of his work. Well, Andy has a blog:
http://www.andyrouse.co.uk/blog.asp
Drop by and follow his latest photo safari. I believe he's in Canada right now...
Doug