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What not to do on your safari
Bet you didn't experience wildlife like this when you were on your last wildlife safari. Marlice van Vuuren is a Namibian animal conservationist and a woman very familiar with the ways of the African cheetah. She should know, her last 34 years were spent growing up around animals in Namibia, and she currently runs the N/a'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary with her husband Rudie.
It's that sort of experience that's prepared her for this close interaction with wild cheetahs, no doubt mixed with a healthy dose of bravery and maybe a shred of craziness. Check out this video where van Vuuren gets off of her dirt bike and walks around among the wild cats, often advancing towards them and showing her dominance -- it's a pretty amazing show.
Unfortunately, the clip appears to be spoken in English, then dubbed in French, so here is a translation of what Marlice Van Der Merwe is saying about her encounter:
If I lower myself down to their level, they'll approach as we appear to be be of similar size ... I'm doing this to show how cowardly they are, not to tease them ... But also, to get a rush of adrenaline ... As soon as you turn your back on them, they attack ... As soon as you look them in the eyes, they're afraid of you ... If you run, you're prey. But, if you turn around, they stop ... I think they've had enough
Filed under: Africa, Namibia, Video, Transportation, Travel Health
Reader Comments (Page 6 of 12)
Bill May 3rd 2011 10:52AM
Anyone ever hear of Tim Treadwell? Someone should clue this woman in.
AMY May 3rd 2011 10:57AM
SHE DOES PLAY WITH PRIDES OF LIONS. BUT I BELIEVE THESE ARE THE ANIMALS IN HER SANTUARY. I AGREE THOUGH LIKE TIM GRIZZY BEAR MAN IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. PLUS SHE COULD VERY WELL BE SENTENCING THESE ANIMALS TO DEATH SHOULD THEY EVER LEAVE HER SANTUARY AND APPROACH HUMANS.
VIDEO OF HER WITH PRIDE OF LIONS ON YOUTUBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIetHm5Werc
Katherine May 3rd 2011 11:04AM
The cheetahs are not a "coalition" they are captive cheetahs in a large fenced enclosure and the woman is on her wildlife sanctuary. They are waiting to be fed and they have been hand-fed since they were orphaned cubs. No bravery here....
just a lot of misinformation.
Snot Bunny May 3rd 2011 11:00AM
JIm, You took the thought right out of my dirty little mind.
LOUIS SIGUR May 3rd 2011 11:02AM
I LOVED HER GREAT JUNGLE ASS
deb May 3rd 2011 11:58AM
can you say dumba**
CARLOS May 3rd 2011 11:07AM
THATS THE KIND OF WOMEN I WANT IAM A LION IN BED AND I NEED YOU SEND ME A MESSAGE I LIVE IN THE JUNGLE I TELL YOU WHERE
pete May 3rd 2011 11:05AM
Just like the guy in Alaska who "lived with the bears."
One morning he woke up to find he was breakfast.
She will also have a rude awakening one of these days.
Snot Bunny May 3rd 2011 11:09AM
There is a video on Youtube of her rolling around and playing and sleeping with
a lion
rini May 3rd 2011 11:15AM
Did any one read the strory about the lady that got her face ripped off by a chimp that was tame. what about the man out west that lived with the bears that is know bear poop. These are wild animals and should stay that way. as nice as it would be to pet a wild animals don't. first that may be the last thing you do(which is ok) but most important that makes the animals unafraid of humans and can get them killed (which is not ok) . oh to explain or else comment on my response about the it is ok if the animal kills you. because you did it on your own it like crossing against the light most time you will be ok but do not blame the driver when he hits you it was your actions that cause it
Scott May 3rd 2011 11:24AM
What an ignorant woman. A lot of women enjoy being eaten,this one has the concept all wrong. Those cats could kill her in seconds and eat her to the bone.
Nikko May 3rd 2011 11:26AM
I'm a little confused. Most wildlife stories concerning Cheetahs portrays them as loners. Seeing so many together in one place seems very odd. Perhaps they are not quite as wild as the producers would have us believe. Just wondering???
Wanda May 3rd 2011 11:40AM
I think this is a fascinating clip. She runs a wildlife sanctuary, and it's obvious she understands the behavior of these cats. When you think about it, their behavior is understandable. They're caught in the middle -- with enough of them, they can bring down large game, yet they are many times smaller than a lion with whom they share the same environment. The thing that amazes me about this young woman is that she's riding a blasted motorbike through this country. Amazing. Thanks for showing it.
allyndp May 3rd 2011 11:31AM
I wonder when we will be reading of her demise at the claws of these beasts?
Chris May 3rd 2011 12:03PM
This is the kind of stupid behavior that people demonstrate just before they're killed and eaten by a buch of cats. They're big and they're strong and this woman's only saving grace is that she's more lucky than stupid. I'm sure we'll soon be reading about her again.
Debra May 5th 2011 10:28AM
So how does she leave? She has to turn her back on them at some point.
kriwani May 3rd 2011 11:44AM
it's obvious that woman wasn't out there by herself. there was a film crew out there with her. So we really don't know what these cats were reacting too.
I know for sure-if she had stayed out there too long or tried something like this again, those Cheetah would have eaten someone!
They were curious and not hungry or hunting!
Don't believe all of the hype.
dickn2000b May 3rd 2011 11:51AM
You don't tug on Superman's cape.
You don't spit into the wind.
You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger,
And you don't mess around with Jim...
Or Cheetas if you have a brain.
JackAssin May 3rd 2011 12:05PM
Yeah but what if they chase her when she leaves on her motorcycle, yikes!
Mike May 3rd 2011 12:03PM
WOW! More people disturbing the Earths Wildlife Creatures...What a surprise...
Im NOT impressed at all, these cheetahs are probably used to seeing people poach or shoot at them and thats why they are afraid of humans...
Soon enough Africa will be nothing but wild people running around instead of wild animals. Even though the people there remind me more of animals than the real animals themselves. Its sad, especially for people who dont care for the animals. They think they are g-ds gift to the world and can take/do whatever the f*** they want.