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A famous herd of five cheetahs dominating the savannahs of Kenya’s Masai Mara Nature Reserve has ended in “fratricide” after most turned against the herd leader, killing him.
The ‘Tano Bora’ men’s squad turned mercilessly against leader Olpadan, ending one of the most successful coalitions the reserve had seen so far.
The body of former herd leader Olpadan was found last month by a wildlife photographer who said he had seen four other cheetahs leaving the scene.
The magnificent five consisted of two brothers from one family and three from another cheetah clan, and were about six years old.
The herd of the fastest mammals running on the surface, had long surprised visitors with their charm, writes the network The Australian.
Partnership was also rare from the assumptions that these large African cats are always seen in solitude or at most in pairs of two males.
Complete dominance over the territory and their rivals in the national park, had attracted the attention of photographers and the images have been appreciated in many photographic competitions.
The park is located on the border between Kenya and Tanzania.
One of their most famous photos is the “Great Swim”, a wonderful photo taken by Buddhillini de Soyza, where the five are seen swimming across the Talek River, in a captivating moment.
Olpadan’s body was found by photographer Jeffrey Wu near the Talek River, as the photographer added that he had seen the former friends of the dead cheetah leaving with “bloody paws”.
Posting the image on Instagram, he wrote: “We found Olpadan’s body near Olkiombo-sid, multiple wounds all over his body, unfortunately he was attacked and killed by his former herd friends Tano Bora.
“We found the remaining four cheetahs confused as they left the body, they entered to cross the Talek River, with bloody paws.”
“Wu said the attack came after the leader split from the herd by joining a coalition with another younger cheetah, and thus became a competitor to his four former herd friends.”
He added that male cheetahs do not tolerate others in their area, even if they are former members of their group.
Park rangers said they are monitoring the behavior of the newly renamed Nne Bora (Wonderful Four) group that still remains the area’s dominant coalition, said park chief James Sindiyo.
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