The Lions of the Triangle: An Update
Angama Mara
The Bila Shaka boys in the Mara Triangle.
Disappeared
Baba Yao
Also known as Their Father · The First Leader of the Six
2014 – c. 2020
Born in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya
Baba Yao was one of the six Bila Shaka brothers of Kenya’s Masai Mara. His name is Swahili for “their father”: in the coalition’s early years he dominated the mating, and observers credited him with bringing new life to the Bila Shaka and Marsh area, which had been in decline as the Four Musketeers aged.
The Bila Shaka Boys, also called the Six Pack, were six brothers born in 2014 in the Moniko Pride of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, north-east of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, sired by the famous males Lolparpit and Olbarnoti. Around 2018, still young, they began taking over from the ageing Four Musketeers. Named after the Bila Shaka lugga, a watercourse at the heart of the Marsh Pride’s land, they went on to dominate the Marsh, Topi, Paradise and Rekero prides, and spent time in the Mara Triangle.
In 2019, Baba Yao fought three males of the Salas coalition. He fled the fight injured and was never seen again; by early 2020 he was presumed lost, the first of the six to go.
6Brothers
1stOf the six to disappear
3Salas males he fought
2014Born
Profile
Identity
- Name
- Baba YaoThe name he is best known by
- Nicknames
- Information not available
- Origin of the name
- Swahili for “their father”
- Sex
- Male
- Distinguishing features
- Information not available
- Weight
- Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg
Birth & Family
- Born
- 2014
- Birthplace
- Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya
- Birth pride
- Moniko Pride
- Father
- Lolparpit or OlbarnotiThe two males sired the litter together
- Mother
- Information not availableA Moniko Pride lioness; not identified
- Siblings
- Baba Yao, Doa, Chongo, Kiok, Kibogoyo and Koshoke
Reign
- Pride king
- Yes; the dominant breeder of the young coalition
- Prides ruled
- Marsh, Topi, Paradise and Rekero prides, at different timesRuled with his brothers
- Pride size
- Information not available
- Reign
- About 2 years (c. 2018 – 2019)
- Ruled with
- His Bila Shaka brothers
- Coalition
- The Bila Shaka Boys
- Home range
- Masai Mara National Reserve and the Mara Triangle, KenyaFrom the Musiara Marsh to Paradise Plains and the Mara River
- Territory size
- Information not available
Death
- Died
- Information not availableDisappeared after a fight in 2019; not seen since early 2020
- Age at death
- Information not availableAbout 5–6
- Cause of death
- Information not availablePresumed to have died of his injuries; not confirmed
- Place of death
- Information not availableMasai Mara, Kenya
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
Baba YaoName
Swahili for “their father”, for his dominance in the mating hierarchy.
Family & Lineage
Father (with Olbarnoti)LolparpitOne of the two famous males who sired the six brothers. Which of the two fathered which brother is not known.View record →Father (with Lolparpit)OlbarnotiThe second sire of the coalition.View record →
Moniko Pride lionessMotherNot individually identified.
Their FatherBaba Yao2014 – c. 2020
BrotherDoaStayed with the Topi Pride from 2020; later fate unclear.View record →Brother · one-eyedChongoMissing since 2026.View record →BrotherKiokStill living in 2026.View record →BrotherKibogoyoStill living in 2026, recovering from injuries.View record →BrotherKoshokeDisappeared in September 2025.View record →OffspringCubs of the coalitionFathered with his brothers in the Marsh, Topi, Paradise and Rekero prides. In a coalition, which male fathered which cub is usually unknown.
Life Story
- 2014
Born in the Moniko Pride, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, to the males Lolparpit and Olbarnoti.
- c. 2018
As young adults, the six brothers began pushing out the ageing Four Musketeers and took over the Marsh Pride area around Bila Shaka.
- 2018 – 2019
The dominant breeder of the coalition around the Marsh and Bila Shaka.
- 2019
Fought three males of the Salas coalition and fled injured.
- Early 2020
Not seen again; presumed dead.
Legend & Truth
Gone without a trace
No body was found. Baba Yao is presumed to have died of his injuries or been killed, but his fate is unknown.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of Their Father’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of Their Father’s life is coming soon
Documentaries & Features
Sources
- WildFact forum — Bila Shaka coalition and the meanings of their names
- Angama — This Week at Angama #200
- Angama — The Lions of the Triangle: An Update
- Governors’ Camp — Masai Mara wildlife, December 2024
- Governors’ Camp — Masai Mara wildlife, January 2025
- Wild Guide — Bila Shaka Boys
- Big Cat Wiki — 6-Pack/Bila-Shaka coalition
Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.