A touching video captures when a cheetah reconnects with a former caretaker who helped raise him a year ago.
While volunteering at Cheetah Experience in South Africa, Dolph Volker developed a close bond with Gabriel, a cheetah cub who was just ten months old.
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Volker spent countless hours feeding, playing, and cuddling with the young cheetah, forming a special relationship.
When Volker returned to the sanctuary, their reunion was filled with affection. Gabriel eagerly sought cuddles, behaving more like a house cat than a wild predator. He purred and nuzzled his old friend, even licking him in a display of affection.
In the YouTube video, Volker reflects on their bond: “Gabriel was hand-raised and quite tame, so we built a lot of trust between us. But, working with wild animals always comes with risks.”
Volker humorously recalled the minor injuries he sustained during their time together: “The only injury I had was from his dew claws on my forehead, along with the scalp grooming, which felt like sandpaper and left scabs I had to pick at for days.”
Describing Gabriel as the “most affectionate and interactive cat, wild or domesticated” he had ever encountered, Volker says he truly felt “loved by a cheetah.”
Their close connection is further highlighted in the video, which shows Gabriel relaxing on Volker’s bed, a scene that captures the depth of their unique bond.
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