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Introducing... Kali and her cubs
Words and images by Simon Blakeney, Series Producer for Dynasties II
The star of ‘Dynasties II: Cheetah’ is Kali – the oldest known cheetah in Zambia.
But she was not alone. When we meet her, she is accompanied by her three growing daughters – (from left) Tune, Zoho and Lalu, kept safe under their mother’s watchful eye.
Their home is the vast open grasslands of Liuwa Plain National Park in Western Zambia. With the coming of the rains, this landscape transforms each year from sandy savannah to waterlogged floodplain.
Kali’s cubs were incredibly reliant on their mother – here Tune takes advantage of a free facewash…
…and Zoho wasn’t averse to the same treatment!
Everything that Kali teaches them is to prepare them for life without her. When they first separate from their mothers, cheetah sisters will often stay together, supporting each other.
They will roam the plains together, looking for their next meal…
…but do take breaks to re-affirm their bond!
When they do find a potential meal though, they put all their skills into practice.
...and are a formidable hunting team.
Eventually though, female cheetah must leave their sisters, and go on their own way.
Tune surveys her vast territory…
Zoho has a relaxing groom…
…and Lalu – always the boldest of the three – does her best impression of her mother!