A cheetah is known for being the fastest animal on land, but as these photos show, speed doesn’t always ensure a successful hunt.
In a surprising twist, a cheetah mistakenly targeted an ostrich, an animal it wouldn’t normally pursue. However, when the ostrich decided to fight back, the cheetah had to retreat.
Wildlife photographer Guy Dekelver captured this remarkable moment at Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater.
Dekelver, 36, explained, “We spotted this cheetah resting in the crater, but suddenly it became interested in what appeared to be an ostrich.”
He continued, “The cheetah began its chase, and seeing a cheetah in full sprint is breathtaking. The ostrich also started running, but then I noticed something unexpected—a hare was trying to escape too. That’s when I realized the cheetah was actually after the hare.”
Unfortunately, the ostrich was unaware of this and assumed it was the target. As the bird grew tired, it decided to turn around and confront the cheetah. This unexpected move spooked the cheetah, causing it to flee.
The hare managed to escape, leaving the cheetah frustrated and out of breath, while the ostrich remained bewildered by the turn of events.
Originally from Belgium, Guy Dekelver has lived in East Africa for over a decade. He shared that his passion for wildlife began in childhood, fueled by books and documentaries.
His work in natural resource management and renewable energy allows him to stay close to the animals he loves.
“Capturing these moments on camera allows me to share the wonders of nature with others,” Dekelver said. Despite the photos’ confusion, he laughed, “People still ask if I edited two separate images together—one of the cheetah and one of the ostrich running.”
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