Volunteering at Cheetah Experience, I befriended a very special male African Cheetah who LOVES giving hugs. I thought only lions did this and was pleasantly surprised to discover a very affectionate Cheetah does as well. Some of this video is regurgitated from my other postings but I included the full hugs.
Unlike some animals like wolves that climbs on peoples shoulders for dominance or looking for food, this hug is a genuine show of affection. Gabriel purrs and grooms the entire time he's hugging you. It's something not taught, asked, or rewarded for but done by him willfully.
I discovered Cheetahs to be very emotional and affectionate cats. When wild animals have all of their survival needs provided to it, their true personalities come forward. I was pleasantly surprised how wonderful Cheetah personalities are. Getting up close and personal with one is an indescribable experience; especially considering they are a highly endangered species.
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Video Summary
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This video captures the heartfelt bond between a caretaker and Gabriel, a yearling cheetah. Despite Gabriel's rough nature and painful \"love bites,\" he displays an extraordinary level of affection, including spontaneous hugging, which the caretaker finds unique among cheetahs. The footage documents their close friendship during the caretaker's final day with him.
Gabriel is a yearling cheetah brought in from another breeding facility.
He was super affectionate and friendly, at least with me.
That's my nose he's chomping down on.
It's just love bites, but it still hurts.
Incredibly, I was able to trust him in doing it.
Our friendship was that tight.
Besides nibbling, he also loved giving hugs,
which I thought was very special.
It's the only cheetah I've ever known to do it.
It was a very tactful show of affection.
No one taught him to do it.
I didn't have to ask.
All I had to do was sit down in front of him.
Good boy.
I'm going to miss you.
Yeah, I'm going to miss you, buddy.
This is my last day with Gabe here.
As you can see, we make good friends.
It's only been a week.
Good boy.
He's very affectionate, but he's also very rough.
His tongue hurts.
Good boy, Gabe.
Good boy.
Yeah, you're a good boy.
Gabriel is a one-year-old,
and the most affectionate cheetah I've ever seen.
He's purring away.
It's my last day with him. I'm going to miss him.
I'm going to miss you, buddy.
You're a good boy. Come and see me, buddy.
Come and see me.
Good boy, Gabe. Good boy.
Good boy. Good boy.
Good boy.
I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I've got favorites.
My favorite cheetah.
Good boy, Gabe.
I'm going to miss you, buddy.
I'm going to miss you.
Good boy. Good boy.
Good boy.
You and I are good friends.
He bites my nose and my face.
Scratches.
Good boy. He's purring away.
He and I have gotten friends.
Good boy, Gabe.
That hurts really bad.
That really hurts.
Gabriel's painful love bites
and his razor-sharp tongue grooming
were the only negative aspects of our relationship.
Much more close to me.
I've been petting him and getting to know him.
But it hurts bad.
Receiving a big hug from a cheetah
was worth the pain.
Good boy, Gabe.
Chewing on my ear.
He's a yearling.
About a year, maybe two months.
But he appreciates being fed and tended to.
He's just purring away.
Good boy.
Oh, that hurts.
Gabriel is the most affectionate cat
I've ever encountered.
Wild or domesticated.
Gabriel's his name.
