March 17, 2026
For a population in the wild that currently numbers less than 7,000 cheetahs (the last count was conducted exactly 10 years ago, in 2016), every individual is important. That’s why we strive to help cheetahs survive in the Maasai Mara. Sometimes, short-term, timely assistance can prolong a cheetah’s life. In rare cases, during hunts or encounters with other predators, cheetahs develop lameness, which resolves more quickly the less stress placed on their limbs and the more regular and nutritious their nutrition. A male in a coalition recovers faster because his groupmates share their prey with him. For example, Milele recovered within six months while his brother Mbili was hunting regularly. A solitary cheetah has no one to rely on, and although it can survive on small prey, recovery is much slower without treatment. In such cases, KWS vets come to the rescue.
When the oldest male, Olonyok (now 11 years and 5 months old), recently began limping, a single remote injection of an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication was sufficient. Olonyok rested in a closed area, regaining his strength, and then began hunting independently again. We are deeply grateful to the SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit led by Dr. Aminga for swift response and to the Mara Cheetah Unit (MCU) dedicated rangers, with whom we share long hours of monitoring cheetahs in the field.
Every year, cheetahs find it increasingly difficult to survive in the wild, and we can all help by at least maintaining a distance when they hunt and rest. Cheetahs have quite high cognitive abilities. To avoid disturbance, they hide in closed or hard-to-reach areas. At the same time, living in an environment with developed tourism, they react appropriately to vehicles. If desired, cheetahs not only approach cars, but also walk alongside and between them, giving tourists the opportunity to take close-up photos and videos. We simply must be patient and respect the animals’ privacy.
