From a low angle among the grass of the Serengeti plains, this black and white image captures a wide-eyed six month old cheetah cub as it studies the strange object before it - a camera. While its mother keeps watch from a nearby ridge, scanning the horizon for threats or opportunity, the cub's curiosity takes centre stage.

In the open landscapes of the Eastern Serengeti, curiosity isn't just endearing - it's essential. For young cheetahs, inquisitive behaviour plays a key role in learning about their environment, shaping how they interact with prey, predators, and even human presence. Personality traits like boldness or caution begin to emerge early, influencing everything from hunting success to survival odds.

Namiri Plains are a stronghold for cheetah conservation, offering rare space and protection for this vulnerable species. Research in the area continues to shed light on the individual differences in cub development - reminding us that every future hunter, every cautious stalker, begins as a wide-eyed cheetah cub fascinated by a camera lens.

To be that close, on the cub's level, is a privilege of trust - a fleeting, intimate glimpse into a mind that is just getting to know the world it lives in.