18/12/2025
Today i recieved sad news from the Masai Mara National Reserve: Nora, the oldest female cheetah (13.5 years) in the reserve, was killed by a leopard! She was on her way crossing Talekriver. She was in presance by vehicles, like videos do show, the leopard uses them as a hide. No interference by present guides with the argument "thats nature" has a bitter taste. The human interference in the Mara is massive and discussed on social media up to international newspapers like the New York Times.
Many things are not pure nature in the Masai Mara anymore ( i know this place since 45 years now!), even if the Mara has a special unique place in my heart and in natural history in general.
Yes Nora was aged, but if Noras death was negativeley influenced by humans or not will never come or find a conclusion. The minimal consequence her death should have: respect wildlife, take your distance, silence your engine at a sighting and give animals way when the move. The big tragic is that Maras cheetahnumbers decrease rapidly in a free fall. Too many losses, to many obviously migrate to Serengeti and places unknown. Others migrate into the Mara, but have to adapt to mass tourism to survive! Some do, others leave again. Cubs have highest mortality rates compared with parks lile like Amboseli National Park Kenya: in the Mara 90 till 100% died in the last years due to high predature pressure. If the guides like to show their guests cheetahs in the future there more has to be done. The Cheetah Protection Unit by Cheetah Project Mara-Meru and Mara Predator Project are busy to help and generate data, but without support, these effects are limited. Everyone in the park, guides and visitors, are responsible and: !!! The time to help and work is NOW!
