Cheetah surprises tourist by leaping into safari jeep
Mickey McCaldin got a close look at the big cat on safari in the Maasai Mara
Cheetah surprises tourist by leaping into safari jeep
6:46PM BST 09 Jul 2015
An Irish tourist got the shock of his life on safari in Kenya's Maasai Mara when a cheeky cheetah leapt into his jeep.
The bold creature got up close and personal with Mickey McCaldin, bareing its teeth just inches from his face. Family friend David Horsey captured the tense standoff between the pair.
David, 62, from Mombasa, Kenya, said: "I've been living in Kenya all my life and I've never seen anything like this.
"At first Mickey was really relaxed but I think he was quite concerned it might try and sit in his lap. Unlike a domestic cat, you certainly don't want that."
David captured the pictures last month as the group tracked a well-known family of cheetahs, whose mother is called Malaika.
Having followed them for a couple of days previously, they observed that the family hadn't had a kill for a few days.
Cheetah surprises tourist by leaping into safari jeep
David and Mickey were on safari in the Maasai Mara Photo: AP/FOTOLIA
David said: "The family had been looking for a gazelle for a few days with no luck.
"As we'd been around for a couple of days, I think they were used to the jeep so the mum jumped on top to get a better view.
"I think the other cheetah tried to follow her up but went a different way.
"Once it had got bored of Mickey it turned away and looked out of the vehicle for a few minutes.
"It just jumped out afterwards."
Cheetah surprises tourist by leaping into safari jeep
The big cat eventually hopped out Photo: AP/FOTOLIA
Mickey was out on holiday with his wife and sister, who are friends of David and his wife Vicky.
David said: "Me and Vicky have lived in Kenya all our lives but we never feel the urge to leave.
"People always ask us where we're going on holiday and it's always around the game reserves.
"You never know what you're going to come across - just like this."