Species Ecology

Cheetah Family In Masi Mara…***EXCLUSIVE*** *** NO INTERNET USAGE UNTIL 00:001 BST ON JULY 23, 2012 *** MASI MARA, KENYA – UNDATED: Cheetah mother shakes of the rain off her fur after a rain shower and in process soakes her six cubs in Masai Mara, Kenya. A cheetah mum drenches her six adorable cubs – as they all squirm with shock. The pack of three-month-old cubs had already taken a soaking from Mother Nature during a flash downpour in Masai Mara, Kenya. The nippers’ fur had just dried out when their mother shook herself dry – dousing them all in water. And Irish snapper Paul Mckenzie, 48, who now lives in Hong Kong, was perfectly poised to capture their adorable reactions. PHOTOGRAPH BY Paul Mckenzie / Barcroft Media UK Office, London. T +44 845 370 2233 W www.barcroftmedia.com USA Office, New York City. T +1 212 796 2458 W www.barcroftusa.com Indian Office, Delhi. T +91 11 4053 2429 W www.barcroftindia.com

Red Colobus. Photo Credit-Mohamed Kambi

SONY DSC

Trophic level interaction between wild flora and fauna. Image Credit: Vivi Granado

I’ve spotted these cute cratures a couple of times, briefly crossing the alley before disappearing in the thick jungle surrounding the Mexican resort. I consider myself lucky to have spotted an entire family traveling from tree to tree, about 40ft from where I was standing. I found a small opening and carefully slipped between the trees, making sure I don’t scratch myself. I’ve landed in an opening large enough to perform a belly dance :-) Te coati bunch quickly became aware of my presence and made their way deep in the jungle, retrieving the youngsters one by one from different tree branches. I’ve found them quite cute and intelligent. While searching for the coati latin name I’ve sadly ran across this recent Herald Tribune article stating that 45 coatis have recently been poisoned in Cancun’s mangroves :-( http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=343607&CategoryId=14091

Sanje Crested Mangabey. Photo Credit-Mohamed Kambi

Goon Junior

Fallow stag and flies at dawn.