FIND OUT THE UNUSUAL RESPONSE THIS CHEETAH GAVE HIS CARETAKER AFTER NOT SEEING EACH OTHER FOR MONTHS

 When two beings that share a close bond find their way back to each other after getting separated for a while, it is a beautiful sight. This story is about a Cheetah who reunited with his former human friend in an unbelievable way. Dolph C. Volker, who works as a 50-year-old respondent at the Cheetah Experience Breeding Center in South Africa took great care of the cheetah back in the day. What happened when the two met after several years away from each other will leave you teary-eyed.

Cheetah Reunion

So let us take a closer look at what happened when this man found the cheetah in the first place. ‘Gabriel’ was the name given to this abandoned Cheetah by his human companion. He became very attached and they grew super close at the makeshift facility. They were building their relationship which grew stronger as each day passed by. Dolph C. Volker and Gabriel spent around one year together and were the best of friends. But as life went on, he had to move back to the U.S. for official reasons.

Meet Gabriel

The two were very affectionate with each other. It is good to note that Dolph was the only person that Gabriel wanted to get close to. He did not interact with the other humans as much. It must have been very heartbreaking to see him leave as they were so used to spending the day together. However, after going back to the U.S, it was once again time for Dolph to come back to Africa. His meeting with Gabriel was emotional and inspiring, leaving many people’s faith in humanity restored.

Gabriel’s Reaction

SO now let us learn more about Dolph C. Volker. For starters, Dolph had been a volunteer at the Cheetah Experience Center in South Africa for a number of years now. He has done a tremendous job in saving and handling these animals in need. Gabriel is not exactly the first cheetah that Dolph has had a chance to take care of. In fact, he has a pretty impressive history in dealing with cheetahs. His work has stretched over a decade and has proven time and again that he does well with predators and wild animals.

But How Did They Meet?

So like we have mentioned earlier, Dolph is a very respectable volunteer that has helped a lot of wild animals find their way back. He has been working with the Cheetah Experience for a long time now and is highly revered there. It was at this place that he had the chance to spend time with Gabriel the cheetah. The abandoned cheetah was suffering from multiple medical conditions. Gabriel and Dolph met when the cheetah was just about 8 months old.

Match Made In Heaven

So the two of them soon grew close to a point where they were inseparable. Gabriel was not so open with other volunteers working there but there was something about Dolph that made him trust him. So the two of them spent a year together and ended up sharing an unbreakable bond. This was clearly seen after Dolph came back to Africa to meet his one time best friend Gabriel the cheetah. It was clear that they had not forgotten about each other.

Cheetah Was Not Going Away

So can you guess what happened next when Gabriel the cheetah and Dolph the volunteer met after being away from each other for a while? The incident that took place after Gabriel laid eyes on Dolph was something one would never expect. It was so surprising that everyone present there was shocked and filled with amazement. The cheetah did not waste time and took the chance running as fast as he could to get to the man that took care of him years ago.

A Big Shock

So what happened when Gabriel charged towards Dolph? Well, the other people who were witnessing this thing that happened at the Cheetah Experience center were beginning to feel as though the cheetah had gone mad. They were in fear for Dolph C. Volker as they thought it went ahead to attack him. But after a few seconds, all their fears were left relieved because it was not to hurt Dolph at all. The cheetah was merely running towards the human to give him a hug and lick his face, feeling overjoyed.

It Couldn’t Stop

Well, the licking and the embrace did not stop and continued for a long period of time. Gabriel was not going to be taken away from the man that took him in and nursed him back to health years ago. It was such a sweet moment for them and the cheetah was still not done. Gabriel refused to leave Dolph’s side and was still holding on tightly. He was giving him the warmest and tightest hug he could possibly give, rubbing his nose on the man he had missed so much.

Gabriel’s Strange Behavior

How would you react if you saw a cheetah running towards you and obviously coming for physical contact? It would definitely be scary for Dolph even though he was responsible for nursing Gabriel back to health. It was truly an odd behavior for a big feline like Gabriel. Even if he had been living inside the house for a long time, this kind of behavior really is weird. We do not usually see cats showing love and affection to their human friend, unlike dogs.

Dolph Imprinted On Gabriel

It is truly uncommon to see that a human being and a wildly known predator can share such a strong connection. While most of us would run away from a cheetah, this man actually gives him a hug. Gabriel’s and Dolph C. Volker’s friendship is certainly a one of a kind bond that does not happen so often. The Cheetah Volunteer managed to have imprinted on the young Cheetah which basically means that this cheetah has chosen to recognize Dolph as an alpha male or his master.

Dolph Misses Gabriel Too

When an animal has chosen to accept you as a companion, it is most likely that you will remain unforgotten. Even in this case, Gabriel does not seem to forget who Dolph is. The two of them have grown so close that they do not even have trouble catching up even after months of not meeting each other. Now whenever Dolph has the chance to travel to South Africa, he is sure to find a friend and a home that will always be there for him, in Gabriel, the energetic Cheetah.

Wildlife Rescuer’s Words

So it would definitely be interesting to ask about what exactly goes through Dolph’s head when he makes friends with these cheetahs, particularly Gabriel. Well, you would be surprised to find out that it does take a lot of time, patience and effort to be able to get through to wild animals.  Dolph recently spoke about his relationship with Gabriel and how it started, “It takes a lot of time to reach that imprinting stage with a wild animal – a wild predator to be specific.”

What He Feels

Dolph knows that these animals are not exposed to humans and so it was going to be hard to try and penetrate into their minds to be able to make them trust him. Even in the case of Gabriel, he admits that he was lucky as he was able to spend time with him when the cheetah was only a cub. He adds on to what he feels about his relationship with Gabriel claiming, “It all started when this Cheetah was a little cub and I think I just got to know him at the right tender age. It was an absolute joy to become friends with Gabriel.”

It Took Time

Well, if you’re thinking that it would have been tough for Dolph to get through to Gabriel, then you are absolutely right. It was not an easy task for the volunteer to gain the cheetah’s respect and trust. It was definitely a challenge for him to somehow get to be friends with the wild predator. So, Dolph Volker’s time with the Cheetah was not too nice in the begin. The dear cheetah did not want to get close to him at all when they first met.

Things Soon Changed

It was a bumpy ride in the beginning and Dolph would sometimes get a little frustrated when Gabriel did not want to let him in initially. To receive that level of trust, Dolph had to put in a lot of effort and had to be very persistent in dealing with the cheetah. It was only quite recent that Gabriel allowed him to hand feed him because he still did not earn that level of “trust”. But in the end, Dolph proved that he was a good person that left the cheetah to fall in love with him.

Gabriel And Dolph’s Unique Bond

So you have to ask why Dolph was so adamant about getting through to the cheetah. Was there something about Gabriel that made him feel like he needed to win over the animal? It turns out that Gabriel was special and different for Dolph for a number of reasons. It would have been very hard for Dolph not to get close to him because he was not only opening up only to him, he loved to cuddle and hug, unlike other wild cats. In fact, Gabriel did not even want to stay with the other caretakers.

Separation Time

So what happened when the time came for Dolph to head back home in the U.S? Well it was a very sad time for the cheetah when his best friend had to leave. Gabriel was slowly showing signs of loneliness and depression. He did not eat properly and was not cooperating with any of the volunteer working at the Cheetah Experience. The staff working there were beginning to fear for his life because the cat’s behavior was starting to affect his health.

Calling Dolph

So, as time went on, the condition and mental slump Gabriel was in was still not progressing, In fact, it grew worse and worse each month. At this point, the people were fearing for Gabriel’s life as it was going to start affecting his health. In the end, they ran out of options and did the only thing left to do. The animal shelter officials decided to call Dolph C. Volker. They were afraid the cheetah was going to die and he was the only person that could get through to him.

Something Amazing

So obviously Dolph came back to the rescue. He was also very relieved to be able to buy Gabriel, and actually take charge as his legal owner. He even decided to take the depressed cheetah out of his misery by taking him back with him all the way to the United States. “He remembers all the special things we used to do and I remember what he used to like to do when he was a cub,” revealed Dolph to interviewers who asked him what it felt like to meet the cheetah once again.

You Can Be Of Help

For those who want to help Dolph with this case, you can actually help the guy. Cheetah Experience is a registered, non-profit cheetah-breeding center that also holds custody of a number of leopards, lions, a tiger, servals and caracals. So if in case you wish to help out Dolph collect the funds for moving Gabriel, you can contact the center and do you part. You can donate whatever amount you want as well if you feel like helping.

Wildlife Expert

So in case you wanted to know, this lovely cheetah is not the first one that Dolph has had the privilege of rescuing. He is not the first wild cheetah that Dolph has managed to rescue in his time serving the center. He is actually very popular for being able to handle wild animals very effortlessly and nicely. He has done a commendable job in saving these animals and being their friend. He was of big help with one particular female Cheetah suffering from sterile meningitis.

Faith The Cheetah

The name of the cheetah is Faith. She is a young female cheetah that was in a critical condition, in need of immediate medical assistance. Dolph really enjoyed spending quality time with Faith the cheetah. She would be kept in the confined box that was supposed to be just for her, but Dolph would sometimes stay with the wildcat. It was very weird because Faith loved to spend time, cuddling and napping with Dolph the volunteer.

Dolph’s Big Plans

We all know by now that these two formed a strong relationship after spending some amount of time with one another. Dolph is now 52 years old and the wildlife expert has revealed his plans for the future. He had revealed that he will dedicate all of his time to take care of hopeless animal cases that have been rejected or ignored by animal shelters. He wants to give these helpless animals a chance at life and a chance to be happy because they do not deserve their ill fate.

Next, we will show a list of animal rescues that will surely warm your hearts. It is heartbreaking to learn that many wild animals become helpless in times of adversity but on the other hand lovely to see that some human beings are always ready to help.

Mohan The Elephant

This elephant named Mohan had been held captive for a whopping 50 years now. He could finally taste freedom after the Wildlife SOS took charge to help free the poor animal. The NGO revealed that this was probably the most stressful animal rescue work they had ever had. It was truly touching to see the ‘world’s unluckiest elephant’ take his first few steps at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation & Care Centre. How happy the elephant must be after being held down for forever.

Drowning Leopard

This rescue took place in a remote village in Maharashtra where a drowning 4-year-old cheetah was saved. This took place after the cheetah fell into a 60-foot-deep well.  After it struggles to afloat, the leopard was slowing drowning, but the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center soon came and did their magic. They levered down a caged platform that the cheetah was hesitant to get on at first. But it soon realized that it was its only hope for survival so the cheetah got on. It was eventually released back into the wild.

Rose The Bear

Wildlife SOS was responsible for saving this brutally injured and abandoned three-month-old bear cub. They found this bear in a small village in Bhopal. The young bear was rescued and it had lost its forelimb because of poachers. It was going to have to go on with life handicapped. After saving her and nursing her back to full recovery, the staff members named the bear Rose. She was placed at the Agra Bear Rescue Center to make sure she regains her health.

Rhea The Circus Elephant

The organization has also managed to help save their 11th circus elephant, Rhea.  Following a tedious work, this 53-year-old pachyderm could finally meet her sisters Mia and Sita, who were both rescued back in the year 2015. Rhea proved to be such an amazing elephant that all the staff members at Elephant Conservation & Care Centre in Mathura fell in love with. She was treated with whatever medical attention she needed and is in the process of recovery right now.

Duck Seizure In Agra

1,839 ducks happened to be saved from a massive seizure from a livestock transport truck by the Agra Police. These ducks were supposed to be transported from Karnataka to Uttar Pradesh but after the authorities investigated the vehicle, they found that it was not acceptable to be transporting livestock across the country. These ducks soon got their freedom and were absolutely overjoyed to be released from their captors. 

Orphaned Fawn Rescued

A forest fire was terrorizing the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra, killing a large number of birds, reptiles, and animals, damaging a very large portion of the forest. After the fire died down, the Forest Department found an orphaned hog deer fawn that was helpless and scared. The employees soon name her Soniya. She now stays at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility with other deer that have also been rescued.

Turtles Rescued

There was a rescue team that actually discovered 52 endangered turtles trapped in a 20-ft-long poacher’s net in Keetham Lake, situated in the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Agra. Wildlife SOS and the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department also uncovered 42 dead turtles and 12 that were in bad shape. Rescuers identified that these were of 4 different species of turtles—the Spotted Black Turtle, Indian Soft-shell Turtle, Indian Flap-shell Turtle and Indian Tent Turtle.

Nilgai Creates Panic

This nilgai was actually an escapee from the central ridge forest in Delhi. It was found to be an adult female nilgai that was roaming around in Rajpath, where the Parliament House and top government offices in New Delhi are located in. The Wildlife SOS team took about five-hours to save the deer using a safety net.  The operation was a very challenging one indeed. After giving it a medical check-up, the nilgai was then released back to nature where she belonged.

Himalayan Griffon Vulture

The Wildlife SOS rescue team working in Srinagar had been able to set free one Himalayan Griffon Vulture from Dal Lake. The Griffon Vulture is known to be one of the biggest birds that live in the Himalayan region and being a scavenging bird of prey, it usually feeds on the carcasses of animals. The rescued vulture had wings that spread to about 8 ft. long, and it was around 3 ft. tall. The team gave the bird whatever medical treatment it needed and soon released it.

Hyena Violently Attacked

This particular rescue story involves an innocent wild animal that was severely attacked by a mob of villagers. These people vehemently attacked a female hyena after they discovered her roaming around in the Sarbathpur village, Agra. The forest department and Wildlife SOS team soon came to its rescue and did whatever was necessary. The hyena was left with a loss of vision for a while because of severe trauma. It was nursed back to health and released back into the wild.

Leopard Rescued

A four-year-old male leopard went inside a house causing much chaos and panic in a village in Agra. It would definitely be scary to find a leopard in your living room, right?  The people had to drill a hole in order to get to the wild animal who was eventually rescued by a Wildlife SOS veterinarian making use of a tranquilizer. The animal was sedated and given a medical checkup before releasing it to the wild once again.

Dusky Eagle Owl

A rescue team was able to capture a juvenile dusky eagle owl from evil poachers in Agra. The poachers had already trimmed off the owl’s talons in an obvious attempt to sell it in the market illegally. Driven by religious myths and superstitious beliefs, there are many who poach these birds for their different body parts like talons, skulls, bones, feathers, meat, and blood. These are then used as talismans, black magic, traditional medicines, etc The owl was then put back to its natural habitat.

Reptile Seizure

A Wildlife SOS team saved 18 monitor lizards and 16 flap shell turtles from devilish poachers at a train station. These reptiles were intended to be traded from Alwar, Rajasthan to sell off to buyers living in Delhi. The poachers tied these lizards up with ropes and the rescue team had to free them from their captivity. They then placed the turtles in Keetham Lake in Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, and the lizards found their way to their natural habitat.

Barn Owl Chicks

Villagers discovered 8 Barn Owl fledglings that were kept in a well in Sanaura village, Farah, Mathura. As the approximately 30-foot-deep well had run dry it made a favorable place for birds like owls to nest in. Since the mother did not show up even after days, the person who found them contacted the authorities. These baby birds were still infants so they were in no way ready to fend for themselves. After they were given ample time to grow up and proper training was given, these birds were then released back to the wild where they belong.

Sloth Bears Rescued

The Wildlife SOS team were responsible for releasing a female sloth bear from a snare outside Koratagere village in Karnataka. The snare was made up of a clutch wire that was altered with a fence wire. It had been used to tie up the large animal’s waist. The bear did its best to try and escape from the clutches of the snare but failed miserably.  The bear, fortunately, did not suffer severe injuries and was able to return to the forest in a short amount of time.