In Botswana, a cheetah explodes into action, and so does its collar. Within seconds, it hits a top speed of 59 miles per hour, driven by leg muscles that generate more power than those of any other runner. Awakened by this phenomenal acceleration, the sensors around its neck record its position and movements, from its first footfalls to the death of its impala prey.

Using these collars, Alan Wilson from the Royal Veterinary College has shown just how extreme a wild cheetah’s movements can be. It’s the culmination of his long-running fascination with an animal that combines two of his great loves—veterinary science and track athletics. “If you’re interesting in running, you very quickly develop an interest in what