Honey's Boys

**Doogs** Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:50 pm

'Epitaph to one of the Mara's favourite sons'

Just a week before the plaudits gather on the red carpet for the UK premiere of Disney’s African Cats (was there a Premiere ?) one of the picture’s players has left us.

The three cheetah boys have patrolled the whole Mara with vigour, élan, poise and indeed indolence. Very few Kicheche guests over the last five years could ever forget this formidable triumvirate. Sadly reports tell us one of them lost a recent battle with lions.

The team is down to two, still a serious proposition for any ruminant but a loss being felt across the plains. It is perhaps wrong, but wholly understandable; to form attachments with cats but perspective is required. Recently the mother of six cheetahs, abandoned her healthy charges – of the siblings, four are male!

Three becomes two but could become four I love you

:)

By: Kicheche Camps - 14/10/2011

**Laikipia** Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:51 am

Thanks Doogs and RIP one of Honey's boys gone to the great savannah in the sky. Most definitely one of the most famous trio ever who long ruled the Mara with their magnificence, majesty and beauty.

Lai Pai

**whitestarling** Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:19 pm

That really is sad news now its confirmed. We have known them for a long time, really fantastic brothers who stuck together. I'll never forget them hasseling Shakiras three girls. Lets hope the two, carry on well without their Brother.
RIP Honeys Boy Sad

**Doogs** Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:27 pm

It is sad isn't it - they had such a strong bond between them it's such a shame that has now been broken. I'm sure the other two will be just as successful together but they will always miss that third brother of theirs Crying or Very sad

Very priviledged to have seen them on a number of occassions when we've been in the Mara - this year the only time we've not seen them. We even saw them hunt & successfully bring down a Wildebeest calf back in 2009 which was amazing to watch Cool

RIP Brother Cheetah

**Laikipia** Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:22 pm

I am so pleased and lucky to have seen them this time in September, all 3 chilling under a bush, that's how I will always remember them now Sad

Lai Pai

**littlewid** Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:58 pm

It is very sad indeed. We all know it happens but some cats you just expect to always be there and go on forever, no matter how silly that sounds. I am sure the two brothers will cope very well but you think how their whole lives will change, apart from the connection they had and the security of three, their whole hunting strategy will have to change, but knowing these boy's, they will cope admirably.

Sleep Peacefully Honey's beautiful boy I love you

littlewid-x-

Minty Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:03 am

Oh no,

i didn't know. I'm having a cry. I was shocked and upset when their mother died and now there are only 2.

I have to look on the brightside, he was free and enjoyed a good life as nature intended.

Am still so sad, RIP sweet boy xx

TTMxx

**littlewid** Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:27 pm

It is really sad isn't it TTM, it shocked all of us too and as you say it was hard enough when Honey died but her three boys did so well and then for the brothers to loose one was just awful but as you say, he had a free life as nature intended and for that we have to take comfort. At least he is now reunited with Honey.

littlewid-x-

Fyxen Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:48 pm

We have just returned from the Mara. We were lucky enough to see the two remaining brothers try out their new hunting technique. Our game guide was telling us that the remaining brothers cried for over two weeks, looking for their lost brother.

They have since had to relearn how to hunt as a two not a three. So sad to hear about the loss of one of them, according to the local reports we heard it was a snake bite that killed him!

Life carries on though, but even now two months after his demise the two remaining brothers haven't really moved far out of the area where they were last all together.

**Laikipia** Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:27 pm

Hello Fyxen. I hope you had a wonderful time in the Mara, and that all that rain didn't spoil your safari. The loss of one of Honey's boys was tragic, I had heard it was a lion but perhaps we will never know. It is good that the two remaining brothers are able to keep hunting as a twosome and it must have been hard for them, although they have had an amazing life together.

I was very lucky to see the three of them back in September so will always remember them as a trio.

Lai

**Doogs** Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:49 pm

Hi Fyxen, many thanks for the update on the boys, how sad that they cried for two weeks for their brother after he died Crying or Very sad

, it doesn't surprise me though as they were obviously very close. Conflicting stories about how he died, I read it was a lion that killed him scratch

I'm sure the two remaining boys will stick close together and be a formidable duo. I believe the male that died was the best hunter out of the 3 of them so they definitely have had to learn to hunt / adapt to life without him Sad

I've also been lucky enough to see / photograph the boys on a number of occasions.

Thanks, Doogs Cheetah

Fyxen Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:12 pm

I have seen the three of them together on a few occasions and will always have those memories of them together. It was strange to see them as a pair instead of a threesome, but was such a treat to see them at full speed on a hunt. In 20+ years of going on safari have never seen a cheetah at full speed before! Was too fast for our cameras to pick up!

The rain did put a bit of a damper on things. I understand they have had a very strange short rain season this year. We were out in a jeep and even that was struggling with the puddles (or should that be lakes!!) at times.

Can't wait to visit again later this year. We were lucky enough to see the migration in July last year so would love to see that again.

**Doogs** Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:32 pm

Sounds like you had a great time watching the boys Fyxen Honey's Boys 71418

Amazingly we have been 4 times to the Mara and 4 times we've seen a Cheetah kill. Shakira in 2006 (before we knew her, matched her spots !), Honey's Boys in 2008, Shakira & the Girls in 2009 and then last year the new coalition of 3 males. To see a cheetah stalk then run at full speed is an awesome sight :)

The rain was really bad in the Mara last year, for very long periods of time. Even in Sept we had problems with the wet roads.

When are going this year ? and where did you stay when you were there ? We're heading back in June to the Mara Intrepids, only ever stayed there. A couple of others on here who were also in the Mara last year may be returning again. If you look on our WAA Camera Club Section you'll see some photos Ann-Marie, Lai Pai & myself took when we were there last year, I'm sure you'll like them.

In the meantime, a couple of pictures of Honey's Boys, 1st one from 2006 (2 of the boys playing) the second one from 2009.

Doogs :

**whitestarling** Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:37 pm

Hi Fyxen
Welcome to WAA. Thanks for your post on Honeys Boys, it is really sad that they lost their Brother, and it must be hard for them to adjust to life without him. I think it was on one of Jonethan Scotts Blogs that we heard it was a Lion, but I think they were only going reports.
It's really great to get news first hand from those who have been to the Mara, and those of us who have'nt been fortunate enough to go really look forward to hearing about the visits, and any photos that people bring back with them.

WS
( Whitestarling )

RMorr50912 Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:14 am

I saw this and thought this was the best place to put it. I think you'll like it and see some friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr_SFRVaQXs&list=LLBpt-WjNkgN3s147_7oZGcg&index=7&feature=plpp_video

Ronnie

**Laikipia** Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:00 pm

A lovely clip, thanks Ronnie. Fantastic to see Honey's boy, the only sad thing was towards the end just how many vehicles were crowding round them. Not good to see!

Lai

**littlewid** Wed Feb 08, 2012 4:33 pm

Ronnie that was beautiful. It was so lovely to see Honeys boys but boy did it bring tears to my eyes, they just look so wonderful together and so happy in each others company and the way they marked the tree together just made me smile.
A great reminder of them all but as Lai says, sad to see them surrounded by cars at the end but I suppose that also goes to show how loved they are.

littlewid-x-

**whitestarling** Wed Feb 08, 2012 6:16 pm

Ronnie

That was fantastic to watch, great to see the Boys again, you've really made my day, and cheered me up, thanks. I agree Lai it's a shame to see so mnay vehicles around them, what chance do predators have to hunt in peace, and how long before prey animals twig, that a load of vehicles in one spot means there's a predator around.
WS

**Doogs** Thu Feb 09, 2012 2:02 pm

Awww great to the see the boys again I love you

and it brought Sad

to my eyes as well.

Lots of vehicles

Thanks for posting the clip Ronnie cheers

RMorr50912 Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:19 pm

I thought everyone would like that! Did anyone else notice when you first see Honey's Boys walking down the trail they looked like the all swallowed basketballs! They all had such fat bellies I was ready for a nap!

Ronnie

Minty Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:48 am

oh dear wiping away more tears

and so sad to see so many cars - i agree

by far my favourite of all the big cats

TTMx

**Laikipia** Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:24 am

Ronnie - they were such an amazing trio and their hunting skills were amazing.

Lai

**Doogs** Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:16 am

They certainly were Lai Pai - we were lucky enough to see them stalk and take down a Wildie in 2008, they were a formidable team Like a Star @ heaven

RMorr50912 Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:47 am

The Boys marking their patch! Courtesy Mara Predator Project

Ronnie

RMorr50912 Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:49 am

WS, this is what I am currently using as my desktop background.

Honey's Boys 1116138164_xLQKA-XL

I don't know who to credit for it but I think it's a great pic.
Ronnie

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