"Wild Thing"

We had an opportunity to get up close to an adult Cheetah -- what an amazing experience! She was very excitable, so we had to keep the kids very calm and quiet. The cheetah population is on the rise in Northeastern province, according to herdsmen. They are powerful hunters: we experienced the Cheetah's strength as Erica and I were both batted by her as she moved around. At one point Erica was unintentionally stabbed in the thigh by one of her three inch claws. Erica was extremely brave as she gently pulled the cheetah's claw out of her leg and slowly backed away. We would not want to be near an angry one!

Emma stayed very close to mommy and daddy as we visited this beautiful cat!

Erica and the Cheetah -- just before the claws came out!

African folklore says that the black streaks on her face are from the cheetah's tears.