NO CHEAT-ING! A pair of cheaters develop their hunting skills as they get their claws out to battle their sibling. The pair of play fighting siblings were spotted in the dry grass of the Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. Amature photographer Elizabeth Shen said, "Their mum was resting while the cubs were playing. Learning to hunt is a critical survival skill that the cubs will develop before they can hunt with their mother. The cub on the left had one paw on its sibling’s back and another right in front of the face. “Got you!” That was the highlight of the day! After that last shot, another round of play fighting started. The cubs were about 7 months old at the time and were energetic and playful." Please byline: Elizabeth Shen/Solent News © Elizabeth Shen/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800 *** Local Caption *** Questions for Cheetah pics - When and where were these shots taken? Taken in Samburu National Reserve in Kenya on September 8, 2023 Can you describe what is happening in these images? Why were the two cats fighting? They were just playing fighting. What is their relation to one another, siblings/rivals? They are siblings. Can you give us an insight into the moments leading up to this as well as directly after? Mom was resting while the cubs were playing. Learning to hunt is a critical survival skill that the cubs will develop before they can hunt with their mother. The cub on the left had one paw on its sibling’s back and another right in front of the face. “Got you!” That was the highlight of the day! After that last shot, another round of play fighting started. The cubs were about 7 months old at the time and were energetic and playful. Is there any more information you would like us to include? In 2014, the global cheetah population was estimated at 6,700 individuals in the wild. The population today might be close to 5,000. Seeing 5 of them in the wild was truly a privilege. Cheetah is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.