The Lions of the Triangle: An Update
Angama Mara
The Bila Shaka boys in the Mara Triangle.
Living
Kibogoyo
Also known as Toothless · The Bila Shaka Missing a Fang
2014 – present
Born in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya
Kibogoyo, often shortened to Kibo, is one of the six Bila Shaka brothers of Kenya’s Masai Mara. His name is Swahili for “toothless”, because one of his upper canines is missing. Guides often found him looking battered from fights, but he has outlasted most of his brothers.
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 October 2023 he was suspected of killing a cub of the Marsh lioness Dada, and was seen the next day with a badly injured eye after fighting the pride’s females. In 2026, recovering from new injuries, he was seen back together with Kiok.
6Brothers
1Missing canine
~12Age in 2026
2014Born
Profile
Identity
- Name
- KibogoyoThe name he is best known by
- Nicknames
- Kibo
- Origin of the name
- Swahili for “toothless”
- Sex
- Male
- Distinguishing features
- One upper canine missing; frequently scarred
- 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, a pride male of the Bila Shaka coalition
- Prides ruled
- Marsh, Topi, Paradise and Rekero prides, at different timesRuled with his brothers
- Pride size
- Information not available
- Reign
- About 8 years so far (c. 2018 – present)
- 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 availableStill living as of 2026
- Age at death
- Information not availableAbout 12 in 2026
- Cause of death
- Information not available
- Place of death
- Information not available
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
KibogoyoName
Swahili for “toothless”, for his missing upper canine. Often shortened to Kibo.
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.
ToothlessKibogoyo2014 –
Brother · once dominantBaba YaoDisappeared after a fight with the Salas males, 2019 – 2020.View record →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 →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.
- 2020 – 2021
Often seen in the Mara Triangle with Chongo and Koshoke.
- October 2023
Suspected of killing a Marsh Pride cub; seen with an eye injury after fighting the lionesses.
- 2024
Spent time apart from his brothers before rejoining them.
- 2026
Recovering from injuries and back together with Kiok.
Legend & Truth
A survivor
Despite his missing tooth and many injuries, Kibogoyo is one of the last two Bila Shaka brothers known to be alive.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of Toothless’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of Toothless’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.