Date: August, 2018
Location: Mara Plains, Kenya
Description: Cheetah moms protect their cubs in the wild for years, until they are old enough to take care of themselves. Ranked high as one of the best mom's in the wild kingdom, they raise their cubs alone, feeding and protecting them from predators by moving them every few days. Like any wildlife species, cheetah conservation is important because cheetah's they are an apex predator so they control the growth of other species. I came upon this scene in Kenya where this mother was grooming her three cubs. The cub has a look of pride and joy, and I wanted to showcase the mother's as a symbol of instinctive love for her offspring. Honored to have received a Special Merit Award for Animal Photography by the Light Space & Time Gallery for this image.