#20. It All Began With A Dog
Volker always had a passion for wildlife and conservation. But one experience in particular changed his perspective forever. An event took place in his childhood that changed him as a person and made him love animals even more than before.
He saw his dog die in his arms at a very young age. And ever since his furry best friend passed, he started seeing the rest of the animal world from a different viewpoint. From then on, to honor his dog, he respected animals much more and vowed to help any animal in need that would cross his path.
#19.The Traumatic Event Made Volker Realize All Lifeforms Are Special
Volker decided not to take animal life for granted anymore and to love and respect all creatures, and having this belief at a very young age completely changed the trajectory of his life.
While he had dreamed of being a doctor before, now he had different goals in mind. He dedicated his education to animal behavior and he went on to get his undergraduates and masters degree in zoology.
#18. Volker Loves All Animals, But One Species Became His Personal Favorite
During his many years as a student, he discovered that he was very passionate about cheetahs. Even though he loved all animals in general, there was something about cheetas that really caught his eye, and so he learned more and more about them.
In 2011, he left his home in the States and volunteered in a cheetah sanctuary in South Africa. The NGO's aim is to educate about endangered species, and save them from extinction. This was the perfect place for Volker to be.
#17. The Cheetah Experience Helps Other Animals Too
Although the animal sanctuary where Volker volunteered was mostly dedicated to cheetas, it also helped all sorts of animals in need. Many species in Africa are endangered because of hunters and contamination, and so the NGO was there to help them.
The rescue center shelters many species of vulnerable big cats such as caracals, African wildcats, lions, and leopards.It also runs a breeding program for cheetahs.
#16. Volker Began Making Regular Trips To The Sanctuary
Although Volker loved being in South Africa, he was just a volunteer there, meaning that he wasn't getting paid. Therefore, he would only go there every once in a while and then would return to America to work his regular job.
During one of his trips, he encountered a cheetah named Eden. They only met briefly, but he became really close to the female cheetah during the summer when he traveled to the sanctuary once more. If only he knew the kind of bond they would develop in the future!
#15. An Extraordinary Friendship
Eden seemed to get extremely excited whenever Volker came around. Because of this, Volker spent more and more time with her, and the two developed an incredible bond. For some unknown reason, the two just had this perfect chemistry.
It´s been six years since their first encounter, and evidence of their amazing connection still remains on YouTube. Volker uploaded a video on July 11, 2015 of him and his best friend Eden, and it went viral.
#14. Volker And His Best Friend
The more time that Volker and Eden spent together, the closer they got. At first, she was of course a little shy, but she quickly showed her true colors after some time. The two constantly played together like a pair of cheetah cubs.
They had an extraordinary relationship. He started to believe that the closer he got to Eden, the less she saw him as a human, and to her he was just another cheetah and not one of the human volunteers of the sanctuary.
#12. The Viral Video
Now, this video featuring the unusual but beautiful friendship between Eden and Volker quickly became viral, and it started with the camera showing a graceful Eden at her enclosure.
The video starts with Eden approaching Volker. He's lying on the grass and the animal advances at a slow pace. Cheetahs can achieve a running rate of 70 miles per hour , but this day Eden's goal wasn't to hunt prey.
#11. She's Not Chasing Volker
Eden is just walking toward Volker, and to any regular person, this would seem very dangerous, but that wasn't the case at all. In fact, she wasn't approaching Volker to attack him but to be close to her best friend.
He talks to the camera, explaining that he's lying down underneath her favorite tree, and Eden is just there to hang out. Then she gets close and lies down next to Volker. She immediately begins to purr.
#10. Eden Seems To Be Comfortable
The surprising twist shows this huge, dangerous cheetah just acting like a regular house cat looking for cuddles from her owner. She curls up next to Volker and purrs aggressively, demanding his attention.
She starts licking Volkers' face as if he were another cat. It might be amazing to watch, but the sweet gesture is not really that enjoyable for him. Amid pained groans, he says ”There is nothing pleasant about that.”
#9. We Get A Closer Look At Eden's Tongue
The cheetahs tongue is covered with pointy spikes. These spikes are known as papilla, an evolutionary design intended to scrape meat off bones. Since humans lack fur, which is usually groomed and detangled by the papilla, getting licked by Eden is quite painful for Volker.
If you've ever been licked by a cat, then you know that it is actually really rough and it doesn't feel good. Well, now imagine that a 300-pound-cheetah does it to your face! That can really hurt your skin.
#8. Even Small Cats Have Papilla, But Eden's Doesn't Compare
Volker states to the camera that this grooming process can not only hurt human skin, but it can actually draw blood. But, since he knows how important social grooming is to cats, he appreciates Eden's intent. It is proof that she views him as one of their own.
And in fact, all of us cat owners know the struggle. It doesn't really feel nice when a cat grooms you, but it is their way of expressing their love for you, so you just let them do it. It is also a great way to bond with your furry companion.
#7. Eden Enjoys Grooming
The grooming is just one part of the bonding behavior Eden expresses. She also enjoys nibbling Volker. He tells the camera that this is a friendly, passive behavior. This is just how cats interact with each other.
> “It's not aggressive; it’s just something she does,” The conservationist explains. “She does the same thing to the other cheetahs.”
#6. He Trusts Her, But Still Has To Be Careful
> “I eventually allowed her to bite and nibble after I learned I could trust her,” said Volker. But he still has to play close atention to Eden´s body language.
For example, if she stops purring, he needs to get Eden happy again as soon as possible, or she could bite him. He doesn't want to suffer any unintended but potentially deadly consequences. After all, cats are known to have drastic mood swings.
#5. Eden In Unaware Her Social Habits Are Painful To Humans
Eden doesn't show any signs of hostility towards Volker. She seems to be totally at ease while he gives her a belly rub. She's even happily curling up right next to her human friend.
She is completely oblivious to the fact that she is much heavier and stronger than he is. Not only that, but she doesn't realize that Volker has no fur to groom and that she is actually hurting him because, as we've mentioned before, she doesn't realize he is not a cheetah.
#4. Even More Amazing
She takes a nap on Volker´s shoulder while he strokes her beautiful fur. All cats love snuggling when they feel comfortable around someone, and they love nothing more than taking a nice long nap next to their loved ones.
> “It’s snuggle time, the cutest thing she does. She’ll lay on you, and she likes you to intertwine your leg with hers,” Volker explains. How cute is that?
#3. Extremely Cute
Volker just says what we are all thinking, “Isn’t that cute?” The video ha almost eight million views and mostly thumbs up. He wraps it up by saying "This is the best cheetah ever.”
And he is absolutely right. To see such a dangerous, ruthless predator be so sweet, cuddly, and harmless is just mesmerizing. This proves that all animals have feelings and need affection just like humans do, no matter how strong they are.
#2. But A Sad Announcement Was Published In Their Facebook Page
On June 29, 2017, Volker´s special friend passed away due to kidney failure. Fans of the duo were shocked to hear the sad news, but it is worth mentioning that Eden did not suffer and was by Volker's side when it happened.
> "Eden, you were the light in all of our lives," read the post on the NGO´s page. "You have touched so many hearts with your affection and sweet nature." It is important to remember that she had a happy life!
#1. Volker Wrote A Personal Note To The Sad Feed
Volker also wrote his goodbyes to Eden on Facebook, and he also said a few words at the small memorial service they did for her at the sanctuary. It was hard to say goodbye, but Volker will always remember her.
He wrote: > "One of the most precious memories and experiences in life is because of Eden. I will forever miss Eden and value the recordings of her purr, which was symphony to my ears every time I heard it. The cheetah purr is my favorite sound on earth because of Eden. Rest in peace, sweet Eden."