Two Brothers, One Inheritance - The Cheetahs of Leo Africa by Bouke Willems

About "Two Brothers, One Inheritance - The Cheetahs of Leo Africa"

by Bouke Willems

About the artwork

In the heart of South Africa, at Leo Africa, lived two cheetah brothers who criss-crossed the country together - an inseparable duo, each with his own character. One was the leader: alert, confident and dominant. The other was calmer, thoughtful, but equally essential in their collective balance.

Their story is one of connection, wild instinct and the fragility of life in the African wilderness.

Today, the dominant brother's legacy lives on - his genes are passed on through his descendants, a hopeful step for the preservation of this iconic species. But the story also has a tragic chapter: the more submissive brother was killed in an illegal snare by a poacher. A painful loss that exposes the harsh reality of wildlife conservation.

Leo Africa fights this menace every day. The organisation puts its heart and soul into protecting endangered species like the cheetah, through education, anti-poaching patrols and creating safe habitats.

These photos not only honour the beauty of these animals, but also carry the weight of their story - a reminder of what is at stake, and why this fight is so important.

This photo replicates my memory of the bond these brothers had. This time, the focus is on the more thoughtful brother of the two. But in the background, you will see his Confident brother leading the way. Together, they patrolled their territory daily in search of prey.