The Black Rock Boys

The Black Rock Boys were five young male lions of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve: Olobor, Oloshipa, Oloimina, Lorkulup and Oloisiadu. They were born in 2017 at the Black Rocks in the south of the reserve, part of a litter of nine cubs raised together by three lionesses of the Black Rock Pride, and were sired by the pride’s old males, Orkini, Longo and Benna. The filmmaker Reinhard Radke followed them from six weeks old for the documentary series Brotherhood of Lions, and local Maasai gave each brother a name to suit his character.

At about two the five left the Black Rocks as nomads. In 2021 they crossed the Rongai River and took over the Rongai Pride, and Olobor and Oloshipa also claimed the Maji ya Fisi Pride. Five males together were a formidable force: Olobor was the boss and the fiercest fighter, Oloshipa the hunter and his closest partner, Lorkulup the gentle buffalo hunter, and Oloimina, despite a lame leg, the most active breeder. Through safari footage and fan accounts they gained a following around the world, especially in China.

Their reign was cut short, mostly by people rather than by rival lions. Oloisiadu disappeared in 2021. Olobor was reportedly speared by herders in January 2024. Lorkulup was found dead in early 2025, in circumstances many fans blame on people. Oloshipa alone fell to rival males, killed by the Topi Pride males in September 2025, leaving Oloimina to hold the Rongai and Fig Tree prides alone. Their sons, known as the Rongai Rockers, now carry the line in the Rongai and Maji ya Fisi areas.