The Lions of the Triangle: An Update
Angama Mara
The Bila Shaka boys in the Mara Triangle.
Disappeared
Koshoke
Also known as Koshoke · The Lost Bila Shaka
2014 – September 2025
Born in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya
Koshoke was one of the six Bila Shaka brothers of Kenya’s Masai Mara. His name comes from the Maa language. Through most of the coalition’s reign he moved with Chongo and Kiok, in the Mara Triangle, the Marsh and the Paradise Plains.
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.
Koshoke was part of the group of three that the Topi Boys pushed out of the Marsh in December 2024. He disappeared in September 2025, at about eleven; what happened to him is not known.
6Brothers
2025Disappeared
~11Age
2014Born
Profile
Identity
- Name
- KoshokeThe name he is best known by
- Nicknames
- Information not available
- Origin of the name
- A Maa nameMeaning not found in the sources used
- 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, 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
- September 2025Disappeared; presumed dead
- Age at death
- About 11
- Cause of death
- Information not availableUnknown
- Place of death
- Information not availableMasai Mara, Kenya
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
KoshokeName
A Maa name; its meaning was not found in the sources used.
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.
KoshokeKoshoke2014 – September 2025
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 →BrotherKibogoyoStill living in 2026, recovering from injuries.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
Spent long periods in the Mara Triangle.
- June 2024
Shared a buffalo with Chongo, Kiok and the Paradise females.
- December 2024
Pushed out of the Marsh by the Topi Boys with Chongo and Kiok.
- September 2025
Disappeared.
Legend & Truth
Unexplained
No body was found and no fight was witnessed. Like Baba Yao before him, Koshoke simply vanished.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of Koshoke’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of Koshoke’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.