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Photographers Get To Witness 5 Cheetahs Crossing A Flooded River Infested With Crocodiles
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Photographers Get To Witness 5 Cheetahs Crossing A Flooded River Infested With Crocodiles

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A group of people were exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Suddenly, they spotted a cheetah family gathering on the edge of a river. The river was flooded, its current was strong, but the animals didn’t care. They had just one goal in mind — crossing it — and they decided to go for it.

The biggest cheetahs leaped into the water, and the travelers immediately lost their breath. Soon, the other two followed. As everyone waited in anticipation, guessing whether the swimmers will make it to the other side, photographers Arnfinn Johansen and Buddhilini De Soyza seized the opportunity and took out their cameras. Both of them managed to perfectly capture the drama that unfolded.

Arnfinn Johansen: arnfinnjohansen.com | Facebook | Instagram

Buddhilini De Soyza: buddhilini.com | Instagram

Image credits: Media Drum Images / Buddhilini De Soyza

Image credits: Media Drum Images / Buddhilini De Soyza

Photographer Arnfinn Johansen said he had been following the five cheetahs for a long time. “They hunt on both sides of the Talek River, [so it’s no wonder] they wanted to cross it. Normally, they would cross the river by walking on stones but this year, it had been raining for a long time and because of the flooding, it was very difficult for them to do so,” Johansen explained to Bored Panda. “They were walking up and down the river for quite a while, searching for a place to get to the other side. Because of the strong current, it was really dangerous. Also, that river is home to the Nile Crocodile for whom a cheetah can be an easy meal.”

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Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

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Johansen said that casualties were definitely possible that day. “Not long ago, another well-known cheetah drowned or got killed by the crocs when it was crossing the same river so it really was a big risk. After surveying the area for a long time, the five cheetah brothers went for it.”

Image credits: Media Drum Images / Buddhilini De Soyza

“First, the leader cheetah jumped into the river, and two more soon followed. The two smallest cheetahs in the group waited for a few seconds before they followed as well.”

Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

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Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

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Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

Johansen said the pack were swimming as fast as they could. “You really could see they didn’t like it.” Luckily, all of the cheetahs managed to get to the other side alive, and when the leader cheetah shook his fur and his tail, he even hissed at the river.

Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

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Image credits: Media Drum Images / Buddhilini De Soyza

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Image credits: Media Drum Images / Buddhilini De Soyza

Image credits: Media Drum Images / Buddhilini De Soyza

Image credits: Media Drum Images / Buddhilini De Soyza

Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

Image credits: Arnfinn Johansen

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    Here’s what people said about the astonishing photos

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

    Read less »
    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

    Read less »

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

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    Natasha Forchione
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They really look like they were struggling, glad they made it safe.

    Puna
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they really are (blood) brothers I'm not surprised they all made it. For a cheetah to have and raise that many cubs into adulthood is impressive AF, so they come from a seriously strong mama!!

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    Natasha Forchione
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They really look like they were struggling, glad they made it safe.

    Puna
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they really are (blood) brothers I'm not surprised they all made it. For a cheetah to have and raise that many cubs into adulthood is impressive AF, so they come from a seriously strong mama!!

    Load More Comments
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