Notch

**Doogs** Thu Sep 12, 2013 9:47 pm

Well the devastating news this evening is that apparently the Big Man has gone to the savannah in the sky Sad

This was what Rich Smith (who is well in the know with the cats of the Mara) has posted tonight on FB :-

"I'm afraid to say I have really bad news. Notch really is gone..

The Old man had a grand life. Lucky since the very beginning and has been ever since. I know not easy to think about right now, but even in the end he was lucky it must have been quick. And we were all very lucky to be able to follow the life of one of the greatest lions ever to roam the plains of the Mara.

I have no details on when, where or exactly what happened. No one does, or will say. The only thing I ask is please respect the guides. Think about how they must feel after spending so many years and great times with Notch.

Thought I was prepared for his ending for a long time now, but must admit while writing this, it's killing me. No one ever said it would be easy following the lives of these great cats. Must accept it is the fate of all of our 'friends'..

RIP Old Friend"

I'm not ashamed to say I had tears pouring down my face reading that. I knew there hadn't been many reports of him recently but hoped he was lurking about somewhere and selfishly hoped he would still be around November time so I could go and look for him.

RIP the greatest lion there has ever been in the Mara, you were adored by many, many people and your death brings us all great sadness.

Run free you very special lion I love you

**whitestarling** Thu Sep 12, 2013 10:19 pm

Oh dear, that is devastating news Sad

I'd noticed there had'nt been any recent news of Notch. I do'nt know why but you never seeded to think of him going, he was always there. I never saw him alive sadly, but you could feel his power, and personality through all the films, photos, videos, and stories.
He was the Lion of Lions, the Kink of Kings who will be so missed by so many people not only in Kenya with the Guides, but all around the world of animal lovers who had heard of Notch, and the many people who saw him on Safari.
RIP
Great King in the savannah in the sky Sad

WS

**littlewid** Thu Sep 12, 2013 10:56 pm

That news really does bring to close the end of an era. I really was not expecting a post like that tonight, it has really taken the wind out of my sails as I am sure it has to hundreds more. I was another one who for some reason expected Notch to go on forever, he just seemed untouchable, such a special Lion. How truely devastating and hard this must be for all the guides and everyone who knew him and met him. Like lots of others I had never met him but I had such a respect for him, I think Notch lead his life in the Notch lane, to the full and that has gained him the love and admiration of so many people around the world, it's a truely sad day, the Mara will never be the same.
Rich says there is no news on how or when he died, I am not sure I want to know, I would just like to think that he had eaten a good meal, had a full belly, fell asleep under a tree and decided it was his time to peacefully go and investigate the great savannah in the sky that he had heard so much about.

Night Night Notch, enjoy your patrol of the savannah in the sky, you will be missed but always remembered with great love, affection and admiration I love you

littlewid-x-

**Doogs** Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:36 pm

I'm not sure if anyone truly knows what has happened to him LW but no news is not good news. He has not been seen for some considerable time and as with a lot of these cases no body has or ever will be found - cats, big and small do have a sense that these things are going to happen to them and slowly slip away, unnoticed to a quiet place. Lets hope this was the case with Notch he went peacefully I love you

**whitestarling** Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:50 pm

Notch's Story

WS

**Laikipia** Sat Sep 14, 2013 12:11 pm

Devastating news, I know the time would have to come but we've all followed Notch and his highs and lows and I have been more than fortunate to have seen him on several occasions. I hope whatever the ending was for this magnificent big cat it was painless and swift but I suspect we shall never know.

RIP Notch gone to the great savannah in the sky.

Lai

**littlewid** Sat Sep 14, 2013 5:06 pm

WS thank you for that clip, it was so nice to see it again and it brings home what a truely magnificent lion Notch was and it also makes me woner if little Moja will grow up to be as strong and charismatic as his grandfather.
Like I said before I hope Notches passing was peacefully, he lived a rogues life but he didnt deserve a cruel demise so I am hanging on to the thought that he was a cat who knew his time was over and he slipped away peacefully.

littlewid-x-

**Doogs** Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:16 pm

Jonathan tweeted yesterday :- "Heading for the Mara next w/end to find out the truth about Notch and his Boys". He may find out more information than we already know but I don't think it's going to change what we have already heard Sad

I also got a PM via FB from Aatish confirming he had not been seen for a long time Crying or Very sad

LW, Paul Kiru posted this picture of Nyota and Moja yesterday . . . .

Notch Moja10

Looking good Very Happy

**whitestarling** Mon Sep 16, 2013 5:47 pm

Doogs you beat me to it about Jonathan going home got his post on FB, and was going to put it on, also was going to email Aatish. As you say I dont think it will alter things, but it will be better to have it confirmed. Lovely to see Nyoto & Mojoa again, his grandfarther would be proud of him

WS

**Doogs** Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:12 pm

WS, Notch would be very proud of Nyota for doing such a good job of bringing up his grandson and I'm sure he's very proud of that young lion as well I love you

**littlewid** Sun Sep 29, 2013 10:54 pm

There has been talk today that Notch may still be alive. Onesmus said that he had been informed by a very reliable guide that Notch had been seen but on his own. Jackson also posted this on his FB page and J&A have also made reference to this on their FB page. We just now need to wait to see if this can actually be confirmed.
If it was Notch it is a little worrying that he was on his own and had not been seen for so long. If it is him it will be wonderful, as long as he is ok.

Doogs, thanks so much for that lovely picture of Nyota and Moja I love you

littlewid-x-

**Laikipia** Mon Sep 30, 2013 8:37 am

Fingers crossed that Notch is still alive and well. We'll have to wait and see .....

Lai

**Doogs** Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:08 pm

Now that is news that's a turn up for the books if true. We can keep our fingers crossed that it is him but only if he is fit and well - wouldn't want him to be thin & poorly

**Laikipia** Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:35 pm

100% Doogs.

Lai

**whitestarling** Mon Sep 30, 2013 2:01 pm

I agree Guys, good news if it is Notch, and he's OK, fingers X. But we did have this sort of thing when Romeo, and Clawed went missing after the takeover with reported sightings, even Jackson got it wrong if I remember right. So I think we have to treat the news with caution untill there is a definate confirmation

WS

**Doogs** Mon Sep 30, 2013 2:04 pm

WS

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