A stunning photograph reveals the rare moment a photographer lay in the grass alongside a cheetah at a game reserve in Africa.
In the image, the cheetah exudes grace as she poses with the photographer, her eyes fixed on the camera.
With her ears alert as if ready to hunt, the predator seems uninterested in the man beside her.
Photographer Chris Du Plessis, who captured this remarkable scene at Tshukudu Game Lodge in Hoedspruit, South Africa, used a remote device to take the shot.
The 39-year-old, originally from Germany, had been working alongside the cheetah when the photo was taken.
The cheetah, named Mtombi, is a familiar sight at the lodge. Although tame to the camp, she still roams freely and hunts alone.
Chris shared his thoughts on the experience, explaining, “Mtombi is a rescued cheetah at the Marula Camp in Tshukudu Game Lodge. Her purring was incredibly loud, and I could feel her warmth against me, which showed she was at ease with my presence. However, I always remembered that I should not fully trust a wild animal. I was prepared for anything but could lie there comfortably for five minutes.”
Later, Chris learned that Mtombi had sensed a nearby pride of lions during the encounter. “In the photo, you can see her reacting to their presence,” he added.
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