Morani: The Last Musketeer & Oldest Living Lion of Maasai Mara
YouTube
A short film on Morani after the death of his brother Scarface.
Disappeared
Morani
Also known as The Last Musketeer · Masai Mara, Kenya
c. 2007 – c. 2023
Born in Masai Mara, Kenya
Morani was one of the Four Musketeers, the coalition of four related males, Scarface, Morani, Sikio and Hunter, who ruled the Marsh and Paradise prides of Kenya’s Masai Mara for the better part of a decade. When the young brothers arrived as nomads, Jonathan Scott remembered, it was almost impossible to tell them apart; only Scarface stood out because of his wound.
Morani stood beside his brothers through the takeover of the Marsh Pride, the conquest of the Paradise Pride in 2016 and the long years along the Mara River. In 2020 he was still holding ground with Scarface and Sikio around the Malaika and Ashnil camps, often seen resting near the wildebeest crossing points of the river.
After Hunter and Sikio died, and Scarface died of old age in June 2021, Morani was the last of the four. Ageing and alone, he was still seen for a time in his old territory. About two years after Scarface’s death, around 2023, he disappeared and was never found.
~9Years of reign
—Age at death
—Lionesses in his pride
4Males in his coalition
Profile
Identity
- Name
- Morani
- Nicknames
- The Last Musketeer
- Origin of the name
- Information not availableThe word comes from moran, a young Maasai warrior; who named him has not been documented
- Sex
- Male
- Distinguishing features
- Large, with a dark mane in his later yearsReported to be limping in his final years
- Weight
- Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg
Birth & Family
- Born
- c. 2007Some sources give 2008
- Birthplace
- Masai Mara, KenyaExact birth site not recorded
- Birth pride
- Information not available
- Father
- Believed to be one of the Notch malesNot formally confirmed
- Mother
- Information not available
- Siblings
- Scarface, Sikio and Hunter (brothers / related males)
Reign
- Pride king
- Yes, member of the Four Musketeers coalition
- Prides ruled
- Marsh Pride (from 2011–2012), Paradise Pride (from 2016)
- Pride size
- Information not availableThe Paradise Pride had around nine lionesses with cubs in 2016
- Reign
- About 9–10 years (c. 2012 – 2021)Longer if counted until his disappearance
- Ruled with
- Scarface, Sikio and Hunter
- Coalition
- The Four Musketeers
- Home range
- Musiara Marsh, Paradise Plains and the Mara River, around the Malaika and Ashnil camps
- Territory size
- Information not available
Death
- Died
- Information not availableDisappeared around 2023 and was never found
- Age at death
- Information not availableAbout 16 if he died around 2023
- Cause of death
- Information not available
- Place of death
- Information not available
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
MoraniName
From the Maa word moran, a young Maasai warrior.
The Last MusketeerTitle
Given because he was the last surviving member of the Four Musketeers.
Family & Lineage
Believed fatherThe Notch malesGuides believe the Musketeers were fathered by the Notch males. This is not formally confirmed.View record →
LionessMotherHer identity has not been publicly documented.
The Last MusketeerMoranic. 2007 – c. 2023
BrotherScarfaceThe most famous of the four. Died of old age in June 2021.View record →BrotherSikioDied after a fight with rival males.View record →BrotherHunterThe first of the four to die, in 2017.View record →Cubs of the coalitionOffspringThe Musketeers fathered cubs in the prides they ruled. Individual sons of Morani have not been formally documented.
Life Story
- c. 2007
Born in the Masai Mara, one of four related males who grew up together.
- 2011 – 2012
With his brothers, took the Marsh Pride from Romeo and Clawed.
- 2016
The Four Musketeers took over the Paradise Pride.
- 2017
Hunter died.
- 2020
Still holding ground with Scarface and Sikio along the Mara River near the Malaika and Ashnil camps.
- Later years
Sikio died after a fight with rival males.
- June 2021
Scarface died of old age, leaving Morani the last of the Four Musketeers.
- c. 2023
Disappeared and was never found.
Legend & Truth
The last of the four
Most coalitions end in a single violent takeover. The Four Musketeers faded one by one over several years, and Morani was the last to go.
Fate unknown
No body was reported found after Morani disappeared, so how and exactly when he died is not known.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of The Last Musketeer’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of The Last Musketeer’s life is coming soon
Documentaries & Features
Scarface: Story of the Most Famous Lion Ever & His Brothers
YouTube
An independent documentary on the Musketeer coalition: Scarface, Sikio, Hunter and Morani.
Scarface: The Real Lion King
BBC Wildlife Magazine — Jonathan & Angela Scott
A cover story on Scarface, the Four Musketeers and the lions of the Masai Mara.
Sources
Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.