Can we learn from the planet’s fastest land animal? They have at least four key lessons for us, says one expert. (Plus one for politicians: leaders of the pack beware!)
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Kingpin cheetah murdered in savage coup
Can we learn from the planet's fastest land animal? They have at least four key lessons for us, says one expert. (Plus one for politicians: leaders of the pack beware!)
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The cheetahs stood on the river bank, searching for a place to cross.
The raging rapids could pull them downstream. But the calm shallows contained lurking crocodiles looking for their next meal.
Suddenly, lead cheetah Olpadan jumped into the water.
This time, Olpadan was lucky. All five members of the all-male Tano Bora cheetah pack safely crossed the river.
But now Olpadan's luck has run out. In January, he was killed by his former pack. Today, the "magnificent five" is the "magnificent four".
There is no doubt: cheetahs are magnificent animals. Now, one life coach says humans should take lessons from the big cat.
Here are Jenn Bauer's four key tips on how to live like a cheetah:
1. Rest before you sprint. Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animal. But cheetahs only run for a minute at a time before resting. Humans, like cheetahs, are only productive for short periods. We must take regular breaks.
2. Be willing to change direction. Cheetahs can turn mid-stride as their prey moves. If we do not adapt to new information, we risk missing our goals.
3. Reuse rather than throw away. Cheetahs use abandoned termite mounds to look for prey and predators. Reusing things can avoid unnecessary waste.
4. Outwit the competition. Cheetahs hunt during the day to stop lions and leopards from stealing their meals. It is important to try out the ideas no one else is exploring.
Not everyone agrees. For centuries, great thinkers have insisted that humans and animals are completely different.
Cheetahs spend their time chasing antelopes. Meanwhile, humans use language, work in offices and buy food from supermarkets.
But Bauer believes these differences do not matter. If we model ourselves on cheetahs, perhaps humans could find a new way of living.
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Can we learn from the planet's fastest land animal?
Yes: Cheetahs are incredible creatures. They use their brains and bodies to survive. Everybody can learn from the resourcefulness and resilience of the cheetah.
No: This is a ridiculous idea. Big cats are majestic and magnificent animals, but they have nothing in common with us.
Or... The lives of humans and animals are becoming increasingly intertwined. It is vital that even if we cannot learn from our wild neighbours, we try to understand them.
Keywords
Olpadan - Olpadan means "sharp shooter" in Maa, the language spoken by the Maasai people in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
All-male - It is rare for male cheetahs to form large social groups. The group is made up of two sets of siblings.
Tano Bora - Tano Bora means magnificent five. The group is now known as Nne Bora, or magnificent four.
Kingpin cheetah murdered in savage coup
Five male cheetahs strain against the current of the raging Talek River in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve © Buddhilini de Soyza Glossary
Olpadan - Olpadan means “sharp shooter” in Maa, the language spoken by the Maasai people in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
All-male - It is rare for male cheetahs to form large social groups. The group is made up of two sets of siblings.
Tano Bora - Tano Bora means magnificent five. The group is now known as Nne Bora, or magnificent four.