Rare Footage of Indian Prince Hunting with Cheetahs circa 1939

karoocheetah

karoocheetah

Well-Known Member
India, 1939

This is a great bit of footage of an Indian Prince circa 1939 using tame cheetahs to hunt.

The whole Cheetah-Watch website is good actually - there are 3 'chats' with Peter Allison (author and safari guide) about King Cheetah and the work of the Cheetah Watch group who I'll admit I know and have heard very little about!

hope you find it as interesting as me!:)
 
Very interesting footage, but I wonder if the 1939 date is correct? The entire footage is in color and 1939 is the year the first MAJOR feature color films were produced (Gone With The Wind, etc). Surprising that a home movie in India would have access to cutting edge technology just being introduced in Hollywood.
 
Followup - If anyone is interested in this topic (the history of cheetahs in India), here is an excellent (but expensive) book:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/End-Trail-Cheetah-India-Divyabhanusinh/dp/0195686977/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304294864&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: End of the Trail: The Cheetah in India (9780195686975): Divyabhanusinh: Books[/ame]
 
Arizona Docent said:
Very interesting footage, but I wonder if the 1939 date is correct? The entire footage is in color and 1939 is the year the first MAJOR feature color films were produced (Gone With The Wind, etc). Surprising that a home movie in India would have access to cutting edge technology just being introduced in Hollywood.
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There are literally hundreds of color film systems, some of which are detailed here: List of color film systems

There were colour experimental "home movie" type films long before 1939. Hard to tell on the Internet but the colour pallet of this one would suggest Agfacolor, but it's not inconceivable that a film of this kind be hand-coloured.

The Nazis shot a lot of colour films during the 1930s that were of the same rough documentary type.
 
Cheetah M said:
Hi, thanks for finding Cheetah Watch. I was mesmerized by that video, having read about India and their cheetah long ago. Please stay in touch... we're leading a Cheetah Safari this October, join us! Safari – Fall 2011 | Cheetah-Watch
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I'd LOVE to join Peter & Yourselves on this safari but I just don't have that kind of cash to spend I'm afraid :(

I first saw it advertised through Peter Alison's Facebook page and was seriously tempted then until i got to the price. If I win the lottery between now and then though I WILL join you on it.
:D
 
Hah, hey everyone.... I totally hear you on the costs... the reality is that we got a price BREAK if you'd believe. Countries like Botswana keep their prices high so as to limit the number of travelers, fund conservation initiatives, and keep the land pristine. Frustratingly this means a lot of us can't afford it, I understand.

Most luxury safaris start at over $1000 per day. We're at around $800 will some $$ to donate to charity too! All that said, if you win the lotto, or have friends with that winning ticket, please forward the info.
 
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