Wildlife Up Close: Cheetah

This gallery contains 2 photos. With its rangy build, the cheetah always looks like it never has enough to eat. I actually photographed this beautiful solitary specimen through the wire bars of its enclosure. Photographed at the Greater Vancouver Zoo on September 14.

Earlier in the day, we glimpsed just the back of its head in the tall grass of its enclosure as it sought shade from the hot late summer sun. Later, nearer to sunset, it was seen pacing the perimeter of its fenced enclosure (it seemed fascinated with baby strollers and small children), even going as far as to court attention from the human visitors who shadowed its every move.