21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Cheetah

This male cheetah was resting in the shade of a termite mound in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. It might surprise many people to learn that early cheetahs once roamed North America and Europe, however these populations went extinct in the last ice age. Today, these swift and lean predators are once again facing the threat of extinction due to climate change, human contact, and low reproductive rates. This photo was taken in September of 2023.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Zimbabwe
Camera: Canon EOS R3
Copyright: © Nathan Myhrvold