I’ve had the privilege of watching this mother raise her four cubs close to home, and over time, I watched each of their personalities emerge. I also witnessed her lose one of them, a reminder of just how difficult life can be for a cheetah. Through it all, she never seemed to give up. We called her “Supermom” because nothing seemed to scare her — not even a leopard or a hyena. Cheetahs may seem vulnerable in such a harsh environment, but she showed incredible determination to protect and raise her young. This photograph captures a much softer side of her story. One of her cubs gently licks her head, almost as if showing appreciation for everything she has done. For this brief moment, mother and cub simply enjoy each other’s company, as though there is nothing else to worry about.