10/11/2025
What would YOU do if you woke up like this?
Dolph Volker was just trying to escape the heat at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. Found a tree, closed his eyes, figured he'd rest for a minute.
Then he felt something warm next to him. Breathing.
He opened his eyes to find a wild cheetah curled up against him like they were old friends.
Most people would panic. But Dolph stayed calm. Over months of volunteering at Cheetah Experience, he'd built real trust with these animals. This cheetah, Eden, felt safe enough to nap right beside him.
She wasn't hunting. She was resting. Nuzzling him. Playfully nibbling his hand. Showing affection the way cheetahs do when they trust you completely.
Dolph's path here started with loss. When his dog died, something shifted. He channeled that grief into protecting endangered species. Cheetahs became his life's work.
Here's what most people don't know: cheetahs are surprisingly gentle. They're cautious, curious, more like big dogs than typical big cats. They don't see humans as prey.
But they're disappearing. Habitat loss and poaching are pushing them closer to extinction every year.
Eden choosing to rest beside him wasn't just a cool moment. It was a reminder of what's at stake. These animals can trust, connect, show tenderness. They deserve to survive in the wild.
Dolph grabbed his camera and captured something most people will never experience. A wild predator, completely at peace with a human.
What would YOU do if you woke up like this?
Dolph Volker was just trying to escape the heat at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. Found a tree, closed his eyes, figured he'd rest for a minute.
Then he felt something warm next to him. Breathing.
He opened his eyes to find a wild cheetah curled up against him like they were old friends.
Most people would panic. But Dolph stayed calm. Over months of volunteering at Cheetah Experience, he'd built real trust with these animals. This cheetah, Eden, felt safe enough to nap right beside him.
She wasn't hunting. She was resting. Nuzzling him. Playfully nibbling his hand. Showing affection the way cheetahs do when they trust you completely.
Dolph's path here started with loss. When his dog died, something shifted. He channeled that grief into protecting endangered species. Cheetahs became his life's work.
Here's what most people don't know: cheetahs are surprisingly gentle. They're cautious, curious, more like big dogs than typical big cats. They don't see humans as prey.
But they're disappearing. Habitat loss and poaching are pushing them closer to extinction every year.
Eden choosing to rest beside him wasn't just a cool moment. It was a reminder of what's at stake. These animals can trust, connect, show tenderness. They deserve to survive in the wild.
Dolph grabbed his camera and captured something most people will never experience. A wild predator, completely at peace with a human.
