Just got back from a 4 day safari in South Africa, our second trip in 3 years. Walked and petted 4 Cheeta in a pack with no problems. Also a Bush Pig named ALF walked with us, a really friendly guy that was wild but came in on his own into the camp an befriended us humans. After the Cheeta's killed an Impala we were just feet away from them and a Ranger actually went in and was able to pull part of the kill away from the Cheeta's without any reaction from them. An hour later they were back at camp walking around us as we were having lunch and we were able to pet them.
Don't try this with the lion cub that is over 1 year old that's a different animal. So what the lady is doing is just what we learned about them. The best thing is to go to Africa and see for yourself. BTW we walked with a 2 year old female lion 3 years ago and this year we walked with her 4 month old cub. They also had a 2 week old cub. This is the best 2 vacations we ever had. Go see for your self!

Tankerrich where do you go on your safari? I have never been but would love to expierience it, and you seem to know a great place to enjoy the trip with the wild.

She couldn't do this with lions or tigers. Cheetahs are notoriously shy. Also it is not cowardly to pounce when the "prey's" back is turned; this is cat strategy!

Cathy dearest..this woman has more pizzazz and moxie and knowledge of things in 30 seconds than you will ever have in your entire lifetime...pity.

I don't think the young lady was being cruel at all. Those animals get bored; think about the excitement she brought their way for just a short time. It gave them something to think about. After all, how was that cruel? She had no weapons, she didn't hurt them. They were fascinated by her.

Yes, they could have attacked, but they didn't. And I'm sure she was prepared for the worst.