Tag: Kariega Game Reserve

Cheetah and cubs cross river in rare video; ‘I was holding my breath’

Viewers of this “extremely rare” footage express concern about the cheetahs crossing this African river due to the danger of crocodiles.

Most African cat species avoid entering water, making this sighting of a mother cheetah and its 4-month-old cubs crossing the Bushmans River in South Africa an “extremely rare” sighting indeed.

Jonathan and Abigal Nottingham provided the amazing footage to the Kariega Game Reserve, which posted the video on its Instagram page.

“Guide Richard and his guests had an amazing sighting recently, as a female cheetah and her two cubs swam across the Bushmans River,” the post stated.

“Most African cat species are very hesitant to enter the water so this is extremely rare to witness, especially considering the age of the cubs.”

Viewers of the video expressed concern about the safety of the cheetahs crossing a river, fearing crocodiles.

“I was so nervous for them,” one viewer wrote. “My whole body tensed up!!”

“I feel it is dangerous to swim in the river,” another wrote.

“What an awesome sighting!” another wrote. “I was holding my breath there for a while.”

The Kariega Game Reserve had an answer for those worried viewers, responding with, “no crocs here!”

More from the Kariega Game Reserve:

“South Africa is home to the third largest wild cheetah population in the world. The species has been eradicated from 91% of their historical range, according to the Endangered Wildlife Trust. They are currently listed as vulnerable.”

Rare battle between rhino and buffalo caught on video

A ranger in South Africa’s Kariega Game Reserve has captured “extremely rare” footage showing a white rhinoceros in head-to-head battle with a Cape buffalo.

A ranger in a South African game reserve has captured “extremely rare” footage showing a white rhinoceros in head-to-head battle with a ferocious buffalo.

The tale of the tape favors the rhino – they can weigh nearly 6,000 pounds – but the 1,500-pound Cape buffalo proved a worthy and formidable opponent.

“The incredible strength of both species is on display here as well as the obstinate nature of the buffalo!” Kariega Game Reserve wrote on Facebook. “Completed with great commentary by the guests present.”

In the footage, best viewed with sound, other buffalo gather around the combatants as if to enjoy a better view. A female rhino and her calf observe from a safer distance.

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Remarkably, the same ranger and guide, Wayne Deryck Howarth, captured footage three years ago showing a battle involving the same rhino and possibly the same buffalo.

Kariega Game Reserve stated that the male rhino had recently been trailing the female rhino and her calf and “is probably full of romance and testosterone.”

The reserve described what the tour group witnessed as “an extremely rare sighting.”

–Image courtesy of Kariega Game Reserve