ENTRY DESCRIPTION
Embodying the spirit of a future ruler, a spirited young cheetah boldly positions himself upon the rugged rocks, offering a picturesque view of the land that will soon become his dominion. The young cheetah's stance exudes an air of regal curiosity, as if it is already contemplating the adventures and challenges that lie ahead.

Cheetahs are well known for being the fastest land animal, with the ability to sprint at speeds of up to 120km/h. They face extinction pressure from climate change, hunting and habitat destruction by humans. Their numbers are estimated to have dropped from 100,000 in 1900 to around 6,000-7,000 today.

Research is being done by cheetah experts and volunteers to help regrow the population through health and reproduction, technology, cheetah census research, ecological research, and investigating human and wildlife conflict. There is hope, but only time and continued conservation efforts will tell if their alarming trend towards extinction can be altered.

Location: Tiger Canyon Game Reserve, Free State, South Africa
Species: Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Equipment & settings: Nikon D850, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8, 1/400 sec at f/6.3, ISO 200

AUTHOR
Antonio is a Portuguese, South African wildlife photographer and finance professional. In 2020, he did FGASA level 1 in the Masai Mara, to become a qualified field guide.
Over the past year he's been pursuing his passion in wildlife photography and his photos have received been published and received he's been awarded in various photography competitions. His greatest ambition is to create awareness through his photography and support conservation projects to help save wildlife on our planet.

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