Reporting Date: 17.02.2012

February is usually the hottest month here. In fact its been very hot and dry in the past two months, such that by 9.00am most of the animals look for shade to protect them from the hot sun. Daniel was on a Full Day excursion with his guests when he observed cheetah and baboons competing for shade. The two male cheetah were walking to a leopard tree to rest while a troope of baboons were also eyeing the same tree. On seeing that the cheetahs were better placed to get to the tree first, the dominant baboon males ganged up and chased the two cheetahs forcing them to seek shade under the next tree.

Of all the 'Big Cats', cheetahs are the weakest. They are not aggressive animals and relies on speed to deal with situations of danger.It is built to respond to threats in a flight rather than fight response.

NB: * = Same animals seen by different rangers