Malaika the Cheetah: Her Story, Her Legacy
- Johan Siggesson
- Jul 21
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 31
In the vast, golden grasslands of Kenya’s Masai Mara, where predator and prey move through an ancient rhythm of survival, one cheetah stood apart. Not only for her speed but for her strength, her story, and the deep connection she inspired in all who followed her journey. Her name was Malaika. To many, she was more than just a speedy cheetah. She was a symbol of what it means to live wild and raise young in one of the toughest places on earth, a story now celebrated through cheetah wall art and fine art wildlife prints that capture her spirit and grace.
A Queen Is Born
Malaika was born in 2007 to a cheetah named Serena. From the beginning, she showed a unique calmness around humans. Her name, meaning "angel" or "queen" in Swahili, suited her. When her mother passed away in 2012, Malaika inherited a prime stretch of territory near the Talek and Olare Orok rivers. This area would become the stage for her life’s greatest challenges and triumphs.
A Fierce and Devoted Mother
In the wild, few animals have it as hard as a cheetah mother. She has no help. No pride. No pack. Just her and her cubs, moving quietly and hunting daily while keeping them safe. The odds are brutal. Most cheetah cubs do not make it to adulthood. But Malaika defied the odds. She gave birth to at least eight litters and raised more cubs than most cheetahs ever do.
Photographers and guides would watch her teach her young how to stalk gazelles, how to move through tall grass, and how to stay alert. She was patient, focused, and deeply committed to her role as a mother. Many visitors to the Mara returned home with stories of seeing her quietly sitting in the grass with her cubs or walking with them through the early morning light.
The River That Took a Cub
One of the most heartbreaking chapters in Malaika’s story took place in 2015 at a spot along the Talek River known to local guides as Dirisha, meaning “window” in Swahili. It’s a narrow break in the thick riverine forest, a natural crossing point for wildlife, and a place that has earned a dark reputation. Followers of BBC’s Big Cat Week might remember it as the infamous “death crossing.” It was here that the leopard Bella, the so-called Queen of the Talek, once killed two wildebeest calves in quick succession. Malaika too would come to know this crossing well, though not for triumph.
On that particular day, Malaika was moving her cubs across the river. Paul Kirui, a respected guide who was tracking a leopard named Bahati and her cubs nearby, received a call over the radio from two other guides, Henry Sadera and Peter Naurori. They had just witnessed something terrible. Malaika had crossed the river, and a crocodile had taken one of her cubs.
Paul left his search for Bahati and rushed to the scene. By the time he arrived, Malaika had already reached the far side. One of her remaining cubs stood at the riverbank, calling out in the direction of the water. It seemed to be searching, possibly still hoping that its lost sibling would somehow return. That cub called out for most of the afternoon, the sound carrying across the quiet stretch of river and open grass.
Paul continued to the actual crossing point and found the crocodile still there, with the lifeless cub beside it at the edge of the water. It was a heavy moment. Guides who knew Malaika well were devastated. Guests in the vehicles sat in stunned silence. Out of the litter she had worked so hard to protect, only two cubs remained.
What made it even more painful was the fact that this wasn’t the first time. Malaika had lost another cub from the same litter at this exact spot. Some crossings are simply cursed. Despite everything she did right, this stretch of river continued to test her.
Still, she pressed on. She had no choice. And that was one of the reasons people connected with her so deeply. Malaika didn’t live an easy life, but she faced what came with determination, moving forward for the sake of the cubs she had left.
Bawa: One of Malaika’s Last Cubs
One of Malaika’s cubs that stood out to me was a young male named Bawa, born in 2012. He was part of the same litter that later faced trouble at the Talek River. I first saw him when he was still young, close to his mother in the open. He was quiet but alert, keeping close, watching everything.
Bawa survived the river crossing where one of his siblings was taken by a crocodile. After Malaika disappeared in 2018, he and his brother were left on their own. At that age, young males usually begin to move off anyway, but doing it without a mother made things harder.
For a while, they were still seen in the Mara. I don’t know what happened to them after that. But seeing them make it even a little further felt like a small continuation of Malaika’s story.
The Photographer’s Favorite
Malaika wasn’t just known to guides. She became a favorite among photographers from all over the world. She didn’t seem bothered by vehicles. In fact, she sometimes used them to her advantage, climbing onto them to get a better view across the plains. Her calm nature and striking looks made her a natural subject for wildlife stories, documentaries, and countless photo galleries.
She appeared in the BBC series The Hunt and quickly became one of the most recognised cheetahs in the Mara. But those who knew her best say that what made her special wasn’t just her beauty. It was her steady way of moving through life. She had a quiet confidence that stood out.
A Personal Note
Malaika stands out to me for a very simple reason. She was the first cheetah I ever truly encountered in the wild. I remember the moment well. She was sitting in the open, alert but calm. Her cub, Bawa, was close by. That first sighting stuck with me. It wasn’t dramatic or fast-paced, just quiet and real. I didn’t know it at the time, but that moment would stay with me. Since then, I’ve seen many cheetahs, but Malaika is the one I always think of first.
A Meeting with the Fast Five
In early 2018, Malaika was seen with a group of five male cheetahs known locally as the Fast Five. They were strong, well-known, and worked together in a rare coalition. Malaika showed signs of being in heat, and though no mating was observed, she stayed close to the group for several days.
Around that time, she also separated from her two nearly grown sons, which is normal for cheetahs. Young males eventually leave their mothers to begin life on their own. The sighting of Malaika with the Fast Five felt like the start of a new chapter. But it would turn out to be one of the last times she was seen.
Disappearance and Silence
Not long after that encounter, Malaika disappeared. She was last spotted near the Olare Orok River, another risky crossing known for crocodiles. No one knows exactly what happened. Most people believe she didn’t survive the crossing. Her body was never found. What followed was a wave of quiet sadness across the Mara and beyond. Guides, researchers, and photographers who had followed her for years were suddenly left with only memories.
Prints That Carry Her Memory
Since Malaika disappeared in 2018, no more photographs of her have been made. What exists now is all there is and will ever be. The photographs from those years are not just wildlife images. They are records of a life that ended quietly in the wild. I was fortunate to see her when I did. The prints I offer of Malaika are from that time. There won’t be new ones.
It’s a bit like the wildlife version of having a photo of Pelé or Maradona taken during their prime. They’re no longer on the field, and there’s no going back to capture that moment again. What’s available now is part of her story, and part of mine. And once these prints are gone, they’re gone.
Why She Mattered
Malaika’s story is not just the story of one cheetah. It is a story of perseverance, motherhood, and what it means to live wild in a changing world. In a landscape shaped by danger, she raised cubs. She adapted. She survived longer than most. She became a subject of research, a media icon, and a symbol of what is still possible for big cats in Africa.
Her story has also helped raise awareness about the challenges cheetahs face. With populations declining and natural spaces shrinking, the need for protection is more important than ever. Researchers working with groups like the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project continue to monitor and protect the remaining cheetahs of the region. Malaika’s life is part of that legacy.
Key Facts About Malaika the Cheetah
Species: African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Born: 2007, Masai Mara, Kenya
Died: Believed to have died in March 2018, likely due to a crocodile attack at the Olare Orok River
Known For: Raising multiple litters of cubs in the wild, being highly tolerant of vehicles and people, and featuring in wildlife documentaries such as The Hunt
Cubs Raised: At least eight litters, with several cubs surviving to independence
Famous Cubs: Bawa (born 2012), one of the last cubs Malaika was seen raising
Territory: Talek and Olare Orok river regions in the Masai Mara
Conservation Importance: Malaika’s life contributed to the understanding of cheetah behavior, maternal success, and cub survival rates in the Mara ecosystem
A Legacy That Lives On
Malaika’s cubs went on to live their own lives in the Mara. Some became mothers. Some became lone males hunting across the plains. And her images live on in the cameras and memories of the many people lucky enough to cross her path.
She didn’t roar. She didn’t rule. But she mattered. And for those who watched her move through the grass with quiet purpose, she will never be forgotten. were lucky enough to see her. Her life invites us to look more closely, to respect the balance of nature, and to remember that every wild life has meaning.
