Nora the oldest known cheetah was killed by a leopard named Bella 2 in September 2025. She lived to 13.5 years far beyond what most cheetahs reach in the wild.
She raised multiple litters despite the constant pressure from predators. I had the chance to spend quite a few hours photographing her in the Massai Mara in 2025.
It saddened me tremendously to hear the news. She was an icon of speed, grace and survival. A heartbreaking end to a legend of the wild.
Tessa