The people are awaiting anxiously for the Cheetah-Run just from a hand-shaking distance. Shiley the cheetah runs its top speed at the San Diego Safari Park, the only place in America where cheetahs are run off leash.
It was really a jaw dropping experience to see a live majestic Cheetah run in front of hundreds of people.
This was not a race but a run as there is no competition involved. As the Cheetah comes out of the cage, the first step and the second steps are 40 mph and by the third or fourth step she attains the speed of 60 mph. That was awesome indeed!
There was a female dog companion, white and equally big, who was made to run prior to Cheetah run just to familiarize her. A mechanical lure tied with a favorite toy is brought and placed at the mouth of Cage.
As the cage is opened, out comes the grand spotted Cheetah going after the Lure which is kept ahead at a faster speed to make Cheetah run after it. Shiley the Cheetah completed the 100 meters run in 5.8 Sec today.
The Cheetah and her companion, the white dog are then walked back through the grassy track while the trainers keep answering onlookers quarries, and simultaneously feeding and cuddling them. The cheetah is of course neck strapped and remains in full control of the trainer. To the amazing excitement of onlookers, this Cheetah is only an ambessador of their breed and does not get scared of people arround or being hunted as she is not from Jungle but has been foster companionship with domestic dog right from very young days.
To us the Cheetah was looking comfortable and playful and was being fed raw rabbit meat all the times on his walk back to the cage.
We were really lucky to witness Cheetah run second time too. This was the highlight of our trip to Safari Park.
© preet mohan singh., all rights reserved.
© preet mohan singh., all rights reserved
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