An incredible video showed what happened when a show bird at a Central Valley California Zoo accidentally ended up inside the cheetah enclosure and barely escaped with its life.
The video was taken at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo over the weekend by a bystander who witnessed the bird flying over the fence and inches away from being gobbled up by the pack of predators.
The clip was posted on TikTok showing the bird stuck in a tree flapping its wings vigorously as it tried to get free.
The pack of cheetahs heard the flapping in the trees and their instincts kicked in.
However, waiting just on the other side of the fence was a pack of big cats sitting on the ground who caught the action above their heads and their instincts kicked in once the winged performer broke free.
At one point, the pack of cheetahs locked in and set off chasing the bird who had swooped much too close to the ground before flying higher in an attempt to get away. The video then ends.
The bird was the newest member of show birds at the zoo where it had been undergoing training for its appearance in an upcoming “Winged Wonders Bird Show” when something clearly went wrong.
Gia Krupens with Fresno Chaffee Zoo confirmed the incident to The Post.
“During a free-flight training session on March 21st, 2026, one of Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s newest members to the Winged Wonders Bird Show, a Roseate spoonbill, briefly veered off course and landed in the cheetah habitat,” the statement read.
“Our teams responded immediately, following established animal safety protocols to safely retrieve the bird. All animals were promptly evaluated by our veterinary team and are currently being monitored for any potential health concerns.”
Krupens said the bird is doing well after being treated for a small laceration. He is also currently back with his flock at the Bird Show and exhibiting his normal behaviors.
The predators set off after the bird who did not have much of a chance at escape given their speed.
The cheetahs in the zoo’s African Adventure exhibit were also evaulated.
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The 13-acre expansion opened in 2015 and features African elephants, cheetahs, and rhinos. According to the zoo map, the cheetah enclosure is located fairly close to the arena where the popular bird show takes place and where the bird was undergoing training.
The African cheetah is typically about 4 feet in length and incredibly fast, capable of reaching 70 miles per hour to catch their prey. While the Roseate spoonbill it’s not nearly as fast, and only capable of reaching a top speed of 31 miles per hour.
The zoo confirmed the bird was injured but is recovering.
The front view of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo where the incredible video was taken.
It’s probably fair to say, the bird is clearly lucky to be alive. It is unclear after this wild animal encounter, if the zoo plans to make any changes.
The California Post reached out to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo for further comment.
