African Cats
Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill — Disneynature
The takeover of the River Pride from Fang by Notch’s coalition.
Disappeared
Mighty Long
Also known as Long · Notch’s Bodyguard
c. 2005 – c. 2010/11
Born in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Mighty Long, usually just called Long, was one of the five sons of the famous Masai Mara lion Notch, and one of the six males of the Notch Coalition. Lion followers remember him as the biggest of the brothers and, with Notch II, one of the two eldest. Notch was often seen with Long at his side, and he is described as his father’s bodyguard.
When Notch was driven out of the Marsh Pride around 2007, Long and his brothers, Notch II, Ron, Caesar and Grimace, were young sub-adults. They left with their father and grew into a coalition of six that took prides across the Mara. According to followers of the coalition, Notch and Long went ahead of the others to challenge Fang, the male of the River Pride at Rekero, the story told in Disneynature’s African Cats.
Long was the first of the six to disappear, in the Mara Triangle around 2010 or early 2011, while Notch was still alive. No body was ever found. Some believe a crocodile took him while crossing the Mara River; others that he was poisoned or speared by herders. Followers say Notch was never the same after losing him.
6Males in his coalition
1stOf the six to disappear
~5Age when he vanished
2010Last seen (approx.)
Profile
Identity
- Name
- Mighty LongThe name he is best known by
- Nicknames
- Long
- Origin of the name
- Information not availableNot documented; Mighty was added by fans for his size
- Sex
- Male
- Distinguishing features
- Very large, the biggest of the brothersA lighter mane, like Grimace
- Weight
- Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg
Birth & Family
- Born
- c. 2005
- Birthplace
- Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
- Birth pride
- Marsh Pride
- Father
- NotchSome fans believe he was fathered by Notch’s first coalition partner, because of his lighter mane
- Mother
- Information not available
- Siblings
- Notch II, Ron, Caesar and Grimace
Reign
- Pride king
- Yes, a pride male of the Notch Coalition
- Prides ruled
- With the coalition: prides including the River Pride at Rekero
- Pride size
- Information not available
- Reign
- About 2–3 years with the coalition
- Ruled with
- His father Notch and his brothers
- Coalition
- The Notch Coalition
- Home range
- Masai Mara National Reserve and the Mara Triangle, Kenya
- Territory size
- Information not available
Death
- Died
- Information not availableDisappeared around 2010 – early 2011; never found
- Age at death
- Information not availableAbout 5–6
- Cause of death
- Information not availableUnknown; possibly a crocodile, or poisoning or spearing by herders
- Place of death
- Information not availableThe Mara Triangle, Kenya (last seen)
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
LongName
How researchers and guides usually called him.
Mighty LongPopular name
Used by fans for his great size.
Family & Lineage
FatherNotchThe legendary Marsh Pride male who led his five sons as a coalition.View record →
Marsh Pride lionessMotherNot identified.
LongMighty Longc. 2005 – c. 2010
BrotherNotch IIThe last of the original Notch males.View record →BrotherRonReportedly killed by the Sand River males in 2016.View record →BrotherCaesarDied in 2017.View record →BrotherGrimaceShared his lighter mane; died in rival territory.View record →OffspringPossible sonsFollowers believe some young males of the Mugoro pride were fathered by Long. Not confirmed.
Life Story
- c. 2005
Born in the Marsh Pride, a son of Notch.
- c. 2007
Left the Marsh Pride with his father and brothers when Notch was driven out.
- 2008 – 2010
Grew into the biggest male of the Notch Coalition, often at his father’s side.
- c. 2010
With Notch, reportedly led the challenge against Fang of the River Pride, as told in African Cats.
- c. 2010 – early 2011
Disappeared in the Mara Triangle; never seen again.
Legend & Truth
How did he vanish?
Theories include a crocodile in the Mara River and poisoning or spearing by herders. None has been confirmed.
Notch’s son?
Like Grimace, Long had a lighter mane than his brothers, so some fans believe Notch’s first partner was his father. Others say he was the son of Notch’s brother. No genetic test was ever done.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of Long’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of Long’s life is coming soon
Documentaries & Features
Sources
- WildFact forum — Notch coalition male lineage
- WildFact forum — The Notch boys’ conquests
- WildFact forum — The fates of the Notch sons
- Asilia Africa — African King: Caesar of the Notch dynasty
Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.