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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 7 of 12)
jimmy May 3rd 2011 12:05PM
What a shame....a beautiful ass like that....one of these days we'll read about that nice ass all tore apart and half eaten by hungry (used to be) Cheetahs, just like the idiot "Grizzly Man" and the "Wolf Lady"....they usually all end up dinner aventually !! Like I said, to bad.....nice leggs too...!!!
J Landis May 3rd 2011 12:05PM
What an idiot. In a few months, we'll be reading about how she got eaten by the cheetahs. If you want an adrenaline rush, go bungee jumping.
Suprbert May 3rd 2011 12:07PM
I'm calling Shenanigans on this... it had me going for a minute there until she started petting them. Tame or tame-ish, some game park where they are hand fed or something similar.
ck May 3rd 2011 12:08PM
We will be reading about her death soon when she is killed by the cats...Moron !
Pahos May 3rd 2011 12:13PM
Nice Gal,
I've actually set down and hung out with a bunch of tigers.
They KNEW who the Alpha Male was, and we had mutual respect.
I wasn't there to kill them, nor did I give them any reason to kill me.
Works the same with Humans.
Men, real men and women, learn to size up the Alpha Males and Females in every sitution.
She didn't have anything to fear, except fear itself.
She owned the sitution.
That' s why the world is filled with 99.50% Sheep, a few Wolfes, and even a smaller number of shepherds.
Try to be the shepherd.
Thus endith your lesson for this day...
ataloss May 3rd 2011 12:22PM
I think they really wanted to eat her. Smart cats.
kenny say's May 3rd 2011 12:29PM
another blonde moment
Victoria May 12th 2011 7:54PM
If you pay close attention to the video, you can hear the crack of a whip by the cameraman and in once portion of the video you can see his shadow. The cats are not intimidated by the young lady, but by the whip that the cameraman is using.
Rick May 3rd 2011 12:38PM
I can't wait until I hear the story of this girl being attacked and ripped apart then eaten alive. I'll laugh my ass off! This girl is a complete idiot. I'm not impressed at all. The reason you don't see a lot of video's like this is because there's just not that many dumb asses around. The beauty of it is that most dumb asses like her eventually get themselves killed. I just hope someone get's THAT on video, too! It'll be an instant classic.
kska May 3rd 2011 1:00PM
Stupid woman! She is the next Steve Irwin - using animals for attention and ego and she'll end up just like him.
Kelly May 3rd 2011 12:45PM
What a moron. I am suspicious that these are "wild" cheetahs, and possible on a reserve where she has had contact with them. Otherwise, no way. She reminds me of the grizzly guy......cheetah food.
dootise May 3rd 2011 1:24PM
kelly ..you are as stupid as burned toast...tamed cheetahs?
JM May 4th 2011 5:50AM
Not nearly as dangerous as confronting just about any other African predator. Cheetahs don't take stupid risks, because they depend on speed for their livelihood ... and even a minor injury, one that hurts their ability to run down prey, is potentially fatal. In addition, they're the only big cats that can be reliably domesticated. It's still not too bright ... but it's not idiotic, either.
John C. Billingsley, Jr. May 3rd 2011 12:50PM
No way wound I be there without at least 45 caliber as for her, that's just big kitty controlling little kitties.
What?! May 3rd 2011 1:19PM
One day the cats will jump on her. Not very smart.
redruby1941 May 3rd 2011 12:52PM
I have been on 5 extended safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Zimbabwe out in the bush alone with only my Masai Guide since 1996 and take photos of the wildlife as a hobby business. I think this woman has forgotten that these are first and foremost wild animals. They are at best unpredictable and this is certainly NOT something that should be shown to anyone as an indication what can be done as it is foolhardy to think you can out think the animals. I recall the famous illusionists Sigfreid and Roy who raised the white tigers for their act from babies in their Vegas estate. Roy was nearly killed one night in front of the entire audience and he was forever changed due to his injuries. To place oneself in the pathway of these magnificent animals and taunt a group of cheetah is in my opinion the height of stupidity. There is nothing brave about her actions...she even stated she is in it for the adrenaline rush...really dumb. I can only hope that if and when she gets attacked the animals are not punished for her reckless actions. Just because you are running a Wildlife Center does not mean you should place yourself in harms way thoughtlessly. I am sure that Kevin Richardson The Lion Whisperer who has a real relationship with the wildlife he works with would never behave in such an irreverant and irresponsible manner as this young woman is.
Carl May 3rd 2011 12:59PM
She's almost a complete idiot. Obviously knows these animals and their behavior, but I wouldn't have done what she did even if I were protected in a moveable cage! I wondered, also, if her long blond hair (like a lion's mane?) had anything to do with it.
RJ May 3rd 2011 12:59PM
Nice legs!
Debbie May 3rd 2011 1:00PM
of course what you don't see is what the camera ppl are doing behind her to scare the cats...... you know they are doing something because you can see the cats look behind her at the camera ppl......... I think it is shameful at the way she is taunting those animals. and one day when they find her dead they will blame the cats that attacked and put them down. She should never be allowed to do such stupid crap and taunt animals.
JCSNY May 3rd 2011 1:06PM
She is actualy doing more harm to the cheetahs by making them more comfortable around humans. If she really loved them she would just
observed them from afar without interference. She is taking away the only
defense they have by somewhat taming them. If she wants to pet animals
she should get a domestic cat and leave these beautiful creatures alone.
Its called respect.