A wildlife shutterbug had a surprising encounter with a friendly cheetah, who introduced her little cubs to the hooman.
Footage of a heartwarming encounter is currently making the rounds on the Internet, capturing a stunning close-up shot of a cheetah purring at a photographer in an undisclosed location.
In the video, the cheetah can be seen keeping calm as it stands fearlessly in front of the photographer, poses for the camera, and swiftly turns its head and makes sounds.
As the wildlife photographer pans the camera, a remarkable sight unfolds as one by one, adorable cubs emerge from the bushes, standing firmly on the rocky terrain and watching curiously.
Netizens are in awe and flooding social media with reactions.
"I love the sound she makes calling her babies. So beautiful", one user commented.
"Absolutely heartwarming! Nature's wonders never cease to amaze, reminding us of the beauty and tenderness in the animal kingdom", another said.
"Awesome, mother's instincts displaying trust towards a human", replied a third.
The Indian government launched "The Cheetah Project" last year to reintroduce the big cats on Indian soil after having been extinct for over 70 years due to poaching during the British Raj.
The world’s fastest land animal, which was officially declared extinct in India in 1952, has slowly made its way back to the country with the import of 20 big cats from South Africa and Namibia, and relocated to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh state.
However, the project hit a low after the death of nine cheetahs, including three cubs.