Cheetahs are the high-speed hunters of the Savannah. Few attempt to take on larger prey than
gazelles or smallish antelopes. But on occasion, the predatory cats reveal their surprisingly different
side. In the Northern Serengeti, a group of male cheetahs emerges and turns all we know about
them upside down. Males are usually loners or live in small groups, but here we have five tomcats
hunting together as one. It is actually, the largest alliance of the animals ever seen! This film has
many stories to tell about the sleek hunters. An experienced mother has brought her sons up near
maturity and is busy showing them the final intricacies of hunting before she releases her offspring
into independence. The female has manoeuvred herself into a good starting position and now
patiently waits until the wilderbeest are close enough to her. Then she attacks from around ten
metres. She has a calf on the perimeter of the herd in her sights, but even this is anything but a
simple task… Another female faces very different problems – she has four cubs to look after. The
little ones have to notch up several miles every day, which is more than exhausting for the
beginners. The mother keeps the surroundings under surveillance for quite some time, but she
hasn’t noticed the lioness in the bushes. The lioness, on the other hand, has been observing her for
even longer. Carnivores are in constant competition with one another!
After several unsuccessful hunting attempts, the five males decide to shadow a herd. As soon as one
of the cats leaps into action, panic breaks out amongst the wilderbeest. It also spooks a group of
giraffes. Maintaining control of the chaotic situation is challenging for the cheetahs. Their victim is a
200 kilogram wilderbeest bull.
