After repelling five cheetahs who assaulted it in Kᴇɴʏᴀ, a powerful impala made an incredible escape. The predators jumped on the male buck’s back and sank their claws in to try to bring it down, but the buck managed to stay upright. Amazingly, though, the antelope managed to break free and run away.
British photographer Kevin Rooney, 53, documented the assault in a stunning collection of images at the Naboisho Conservancy. Selenkei, a mother cheetah, was seen pouncing on the 160-pound animal in the pictures while the impala held its ground. Her four cubs then joined the ʜᴜɴᴛ and clambered onto the buck’s back as it struggled and kicked fiercely.
From Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Mr. Rooney is an aeronautical electrical engineer. He said that they were with their wildlife guide who seemed to have a sixth feel for when animals might ᴀᴛᴛᴀᴄᴋ. The mother cheetah Selenkei began stalking the impala after they managed to position themselves so that the impala was in between them and their truck.
The cheetah sneaked up until she was in the antelope’s range, ᴀᴛᴛᴀᴄᴋed, and caught it after a few strong strides. She managed to capture the impala, a sizable adult buck, but was unsuccessful in trying to bring it down.
Her four pups quickly arrived, and they all began pounce-ᴀᴛᴛᴀᴄᴋing the unfortunate impala, which was simply appearing to stand there. Amazingly, the impala was able to shake off the five ᴛᴇʀʀɪғʏing predators after a short period of time, leaving them in the dust. It was a breathtaking sight.