The Lions of the Triangle: An Update
Angama Mara
The Bila Shaka boys in the Mara Triangle.
Living
Kiok
Also known as The Ear · The Bila Shaka with Mismatched Ears
2014 – present
Born in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya
Kiok is one of the six Bila Shaka brothers of Kenya’s Masai Mara. His name is a Maa word for “ear”, for his mismatched ears. With Chongo he became the main male of the Paradise Pride, and Governors’ Camp guides saw him let the pride’s young cubs climb all over him.
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.
Kiok survived the fights of 2024 and 2025, including wounds to his face in January 2025. With Koshoke gone in 2025 and Chongo missing in 2026, Kiok and Kibogoyo are the last of the six still known to be alive.
6Brothers
2Brothers left with him
~12Age in 2026
2014Born
Profile
Identity
- Name
- KiokThe name he is best known by
- Nicknames
- Information not available
- Origin of the name
- Maa for “ear”, for his mismatched ears
- Sex
- Male
- Distinguishing features
- Mismatched ears
- 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; with Chongo the main male of the Paradise Pride
- 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
KiokName
A Maa word for “ear”, for his mismatched ears.
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.
The EarKiok2014 –
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 →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.
- 2023
Mated with the Angama Pride lioness after a nomad killed her cubs, guarding her fiercely.
- June 2024
Seen letting young Paradise cubs climb all over him at a buffalo kill.
- December 2024
Pushed out of the Marsh by the Topi Boys with Chongo and Koshoke.
- January 2025
Wounded across the face during a buffalo hunt.
- 2026
Back together with the recovering Kibogoyo.
Legend & Truth
A gentle side
Male lions rarely interact with cubs. Kiok’s tolerance of the Paradise cubs was noted by guides as unusual.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of The Ear’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of The Ear’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.