Trio spotted: Cheetah mother and cubs

CENTRAL SERENGETI, TANZANIA - MAY 2025

We first observed the female cheetah sitting intently atop a mound - her own island rising from a sea of grasses flowing in the warm afternoon breeze. Her perch provided an elevated view of potential predators, future prey - and most importantly, her mischievous cubs.

Two golden tufts poked out from the greenery bordering the road just ahead of our parked truck - heads with curious eyes intently watching us from about 20 yards away. One of the tufts rose, revealing the cub. Unlike his mother's, the cub's coat still had fuzz - including his mantle above his shoulder blades - giving him a mohawk. The cub's sibling followed suit and began to move toward the road. This prompted their mother to come down from the high ground and make her way toward the gap between us and her inquisitive offspring.

The closer their mother got, the braver the cubs would become. They were now out in the open on the dusty road rough housing - nipping, gnawing and clawing at each other. Every now and then they both would simultaneously stop and stare in our direction. I deduced this was either to make sure it was still safe or to ensure we were still watching their shenanigans - the look toddlers get when they are up to mischief and desire an audience.

The cubs became increasingly bold and were now coming toward us in a full sprint. The lead cub bounded with all its might and leapt into the air toward the passenger side fender of the Land Cruiser. The impressive launch soon fouled into a pathetic fumble as the cub missed the landing and ended up on its back.

"Loser!" shouted our guide, Thompson, from the driver's seat as the cub regained his footing and walked sheepishly toward the rear of the vehicle and back into the grass. His hearty laugh carried on until they reunited with their mother. This was the second animal bestowed with the title of “loser” - the first was a one-horned antelope who lost his harem to a rival male.

Thompson told us the cheetah in the area were unafraid of the vehicles due to the local researchers, but it was still not encouraged to have the animals be so close of it could be helped. Luckily for their own good, the cub's embarrassment might stop them from repeating the act on the next car.

Their mother returned to her mound where she had been patiently waiting for her cubs to join her. They bounded through the thick brush, clamored up the earthen pile, and took a seat . We watched on as the mother would look left, with the cubs gaze following just a few moments later. When she looked right - they too, would look right - mirroring her behavior; learning her ways.

After another 10 minutes or so, we were no longer entertaining enough for the trio. The cubs climbed down from the mound and were back into the tall grass - only their tails visible. Mom followed, periodically looking back in our direction as we started up the truck and kept on our journey to find more wildlife.