Cheetah shocks tourist; wants to go for joy-ride

Published on: 10th July 2015 at 11:58 AM

Daisy Melwani

2 Min Read

PIC FROM HERBERT SMRCEK / CATERS NEWS - (PICTURED: The cheetah about to jump into the jeep ) - **TAKEN IN THE MAASAI MARA**A cheeky cheetah got up close and personal with a tourist on safari. With its razor sharp claws and teeth, this is one moggy you certainly dont want curling up in your lap. The bold big cat jumped into the back seat of the jeep and sauntered over to where Irish tourist Mickey McCaldin was sat. Family friend David Horsey captured the tense standoff between the pair as it looked like the cheetah was going to make himself comfortable on Mickeys lap. SEE CATERS COPY.

The big cat jumped into the jeep, and there’s photos to prove it.

An Irish tourist has received an up close and personal view of a cheetah when the big cat jumped into his jeep whilst on safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

PIC FROM DAVID HORSEY / CATERS NEWS - (PICTURED: Irish tourist Mickey McCaldin gets a shock off a cheetah) -**TAKEN IN THE MAASAI MARA**A cheeky cheetah got up close and personal with a tourist on safari. With its razor sharp claws and teeth, this is one moggy you certainly dont want curling up in your lap. The bold big cat jumped into the back seat of the jeep and sauntered over to where Irish tourist Mickey McCaldin was sat. Family friend David Horsey captured the tense standoff between the pair as it looked like the cheetah was going to make himself comfortable on Mickeys lap. SEE CATERS COPY. — PIC FROM DAVID HORSEY / CATERS NEWS

According to eturbonews, the cheetah was “baring its teeth” inches from Mickey McCaldin, with friend David Horsey capturing the standoff.

“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,” Horsey, a Mombasa local, said.

According to Horsey, he captured the pictures last month while the group tracked a well-known family of cheetahs searched for a gazelle.

“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,” Horsey said.