Lion Gangland
National Geographic
Follows the Vumbi pride and the coalition of C-Boy and Hildur on the Namiri Plains: the brothers’ father and the world they were born into.
Features their father
Coalition · Ended
Bob Junior & Marley
Also known as Snyggve & Tryggve · Kings of the Namiri Plains, Serengeti
c. 2016 – March 2023
Origin: Namiri Plains area, eastern Serengeti, Tanzania
Bob Junior and Marley were brothers, sons of the legendary C-Boy, born into the lion dynasty of the Namiri Plains in the eastern Serengeti. Swedish wildlife photographer Daniel Rosengren named them Snyggve and Tryggve when they were only about six weeks old; guides came to know them as Bob Junior and Marley.
After years as young nomads, the brothers took control of the Namiri Plains prides around 2016. Together they ruled a pride of around 22 lionesses for about seven years, the same ground their father’s coalition, C-Boy and Hildur, had dominated before them. Huge and dark-maned, they became favourites of guides and photographers, often seen resting on the kopjes above the plains.
Their reign ended in March 2023, when younger males moved in to take the territory. Bob Junior was killed in a fight near Namiri Plains, and Marley disappeared at around the same time and is presumed dead.
Members
2Members
~7Years of reign
1Prides ruled
2023End of reign
Profile
Coalition
- Members
- Bob Junior (Snyggve) and Marley (Tryggve)
- Relationship
- Brothers, sons of C-Boy
- Origin / birthplace
- Namiri Plains area, eastern Serengeti, TanzaniaBorn around 2010
- How it formed
- Born together; named at six weeks old by photographer Daniel Rosengren
Reign
- Area
- Namiri Plains, Soit Le Motonyi area, eastern Serengeti, Tanzania
- Prides ruled
- The Namiri Plains prides, around 22 lionesses
- Took over from
- Information not availableTheir father’s coalition, C-Boy and Hildur, had dominated the area before them
- Reign
- About 7 years (c. 2016 – 2023)
- Territory size
- Information not available
End
- End of the coalition
- March 2023, overthrown by the Saba Bora coalitionThree of the seven Saba Bora brothers killed Bob Junior
- Successors
- The Saba Bora coalitionSeven young brothers; three of them killed Bob Junior
Names & Meanings
Bob Junior & MarleyNames used by guides
Both names come from their father, C-Boy, whom guides called Bob or Bob Marley because of his dark, dreadlock-like mane.
Snyggve & TryggveGiven names
Swedish names chosen by photographer Daniel Rosengren: snygg means handsome and trygg means safe or steady.
JoelAnother name for Marley
Also used for Marley; the origin of this name has not been documented.
Story of the Coalition
- c. 2010
The brothers were born on the eastern Serengeti, sons of C-Boy.
- Six weeks old
Named Snyggve and Tryggve by photographer Daniel Rosengren.
- Youth
Lived as young nomadic males; guests at Namiri Plains in 2016 saw them sleeping beside the tents.
- c. 2016
Took control of the Namiri Plains prides.
- June 2018
Their father C-Boy died at about 14.
- March 2023
Bob Junior was killed by younger rival males near Namiri Plains; Marley disappeared and is presumed dead.
Photographs
Film
The film of Bob Junior & Marley is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of Bob Junior & Marley is coming soon
Documentaries & Features
Sources
Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.