11/20/2024
September and October saw the arrival of five new shy males in the Mara – two in the southwestern part of the Mara (Mara Triangle) and three in the northern part of the Mara ecosystem (Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy). In the first half of October, three young males, approximately 2 years old, appeared in the dense forest on the hill slopes near the Rhino Sanctuary. Rangers discovered this coalition in the same area where they first found Siankiki with her three cubs in December 2023. By now, three shy males are gradually expanding into new territories and have already been spotted in the Enonkishu, Lemek and Mara North Conservancies. Like the female and her cubs, these males demonstrate remarkable adaptations for thriving in dense forest. Although they roam in open areas, they prefer to rest and hunt in the hills, which reduces the risk of cheetahs being disturbed by predators and humans. In open areas, cheetahs are quickly spotted by rival predators. For example, hyenas can follow cheetahs for hours to take away their prey if they are hunting. This encourages the cheetahs to move to escape their pursuers. For now, these males remain shy, but over time they will get used to the presence of cars (as they have already gotten used to the rangers). Then they will feel more comfortable in open spaces and become more accessible for observation.
