While most of us would be terrified, Dolph Volker, a volunteer at South Africa’s Cheetah Experience Breeding Centre, has made friends with… a cheetah.
Dolph met Gabriel, the cheetah he now owns legally, when he was just eight months old, and the two struck an instant bond. Dolph can now leave Africa for more than a year and still be greeted with hugs and loving licks by Gabriel. Dolph has managed to hand-feed the cheetah and spend the night out in the open next to him.
Dolph arrived in South Africa with the intention of creating a non-profit captive cheetah breeding project. He wants to raise cubs with their mother, train and exercise them to hunt, then rewild and release them.
Dolph is always greeted by Gabriel with gentle kisses.
The friends have even slept together through the night without Dolph getting hurt.
On a journey to Africa for a non-profit breeding project, Dolph saw Gabriel the cheetah for the first time.
The project’s purpose is to grow cubs in the wild with their mother, teach them to hunt, and then release them.
Despite the intimate friendship he has developed with Gabriel over the years, Dolph is aware of the dangers that come with dealing with a predator.
“Because cheetahs don’t speak English, I have to read their behavior to figure out how they’re feeling.” “They let you know if they want to be left alone by their actions,” Dolph posted on Facebook.
Dolph deserves praise for forging such a special bond with his cheetah and aiming to breed more happy and secure cheetahs.
