The easily distinguishable, elegant but Endangered Cheetah appears to be a favourite of many people. To date (end-2000), it appears in 3 of Gary's prints but the image in this particular one, released in 1991, has put in a variety of appearances.

The so-called "greyhound of cats" has earned its title because of its slender build, its speed over the ground and because it sprints after its prey rather than stalking it. It lives mainly in Africa's open country (semi-desert and desert plains, grassland and wooded grassland), south of the Sahara. A few are also said to exist in northern Iran and adjacent areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Cheetah is normally counted amongst the Big Cats. However, some people define Big Cats as those that roar. That is something the Cheetah does not do.

The drawing, completed in the same year that the print was released, took Gary 27 hours to complete. Half the issue of 850 was sold through Greenpeace for their benefit.

The dimensions of the print and the style of drawing make it an ideal partner for the Serval print issued in 1995.(see below) The two were included, together, on a personal greetings card/notelet used by Gary around 1995/96. It has also been used by the Environmental Investigation Agency on some of their marketing stationery.

The original drawing was sold at the 1994 Mall Galleries solo exhibition (together with some prints) which benefited the E.I.A and Born Free; the asking price was £1,650 (unframed prints £85). And what image appeared on the invitation card for the exhibition - yes, this same drawing.

The Serval is a beautiful, long-legged small cat inhabiting much of Africa south of the Sahara. There is also an Endangered North African sub-species that is native to Morocco and Algeria.

Worldwide there are a number of small cats with markings that are not totally dissimilar. This particular one inhabits savannahs and open grassland as well as being found in light woodlands and around forest fringes. It particularly likes to be near water, round marshes and reed-beds.

The Serval is very agile and a good climber. It feeds on small mammals and reptiles pinpointed in the grass by sound - note the large rounded ears. However, is also known for its acrobatics in jumping to catch birds that have been flushed from the grass, in mid-flight.

Gary has released 3 Serval prints (at end-2000), this one in 1995. It is very similar to the 1991 Cheetah print, in style and dimensions, and the two drawings appeared together on a personal greetings card/notelet used by Gary in 1995/96. Like the Cheetah image, it has also been used by the Environmental Investigation Agency on some of their marketing stationery.