In an unusual encounter, a young impala found itself face to face with three cheetahs but lived to tell the tale. Surprisingly, the antelope escaped unharmed from what seemed like a certain end.
The cheetahs, three males, weren’t in a hunting mood at the time. Unlike other large cats, cheetahs typically hunt during the day, either in the early morning or late afternoon. Their high-speed chases are physically draining, and they often need time to rest after catching prey.
This impala likely stumbled upon the cheetahs when they were already tired and satisfied from an earlier kill, which may have saved their lives.
Photographer Michel Denis-Huot captured the remarkable event during a safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara in October last year.
Michel reflected on the experience, “These three brothers have been living together since they left their mother at about 18 months old. We saw them in the morning—they didn’t seem hungry, and though they were moving quickly, they occasionally paused to play.”
The cheetahs then encountered a group of impalas. While most of the herd fled, one young impala wasn’t fast enough and was easily caught by the trio.
What followed was unexpected: instead of attacking, the cheetahs began playing with the impala, much like a house cat might toy with a ball of yarn.
“They knocked it over but soon lost interest,” Michel explained. “For more than 15 minutes, they stayed with the young antelope, doing nothing more than licking it or resting their paws on its head.”
Even more remarkable, the impala escaped after a tense moment when one cheetah appeared ready to bite its neck. The young antelope sprinted away, leaving behind a scene that could have ended differently.
As amusing as the situation was, it’s probably best if the impala keeps this encounter to itself—other cheetahs might not be as playful.
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