From the chase position, the zebra returns to chase the cheetah, causing the enemy to burrow into the bushes to escape.
Photographer Sebastian Lehrke witnesses a zebra’s spectacular counterattack against cheetahs at the Naboisho reserve in Kenya, East Africa. In the picture, the fastest big cat on the planet sprints at full speed towards a herd of zebras wandering too close to its three young. The zebras fled to escape when they saw the cheetah. However, one of the zebras suddenly turned to defend itself.
The zebra changed direction suddenly and began to gallop towards the big cat. Seemingly taken aback by its prey’s counterattack, the cheetah stopped briefly and then changed direction as the zebra followed closely behind it. Zebras chase leopards across the field, forcing enemies to hide in the bushes. Finally, the horse leisurely returned to the herd. The cheetah remained in hiding while its cubs watched anxiously.
The cheetah lives in the plains of eastern and southern Africa and is classified as a big cat, even though it weighs only 36-64 kg and cannot roar. They are the fastest animals on Earth, can reach speeds of 113 km/h when chasing their prey. But cheetahs can only run fast for a short distance of about 250 m before losing strength. The pressure on the body is so great that cheetahs often have to lie down for half an hour after running at full speed.
According to National Geographic, the cheetah’s diet includes small to medium-sized prey such as rabbits, impalas, young wildebeest and gazelles. Cheetahs often team up to hunt zebras, but a lone cheetah rarely attacks zebras due to the size difference. However, cheetahs are still a major threat to zebras.
