Living

Olepolos

Also known as Olepolos Sala · Father of the Topi Boys

August 2015 – present

Born in Masai Mara, Kenya

Olepolos is one of the three Sala’s Boys of Kenya’s Masai Mara, a coalition of brothers who ruled the Rekero and Topi prides. He is believed to be the father of several of the Topi Boys, including Nzuri, celebrated as one of the most striking male lions in the world.

The Sala’s Boys were three brothers born in August 2015 in the Sala’s Pride of Kenya’s Masai Mara, sons of the two old Sala’s males: Olepolos, Osapuk and Orkitok. Their first major takeover was the Rekero Pride; they then took the Topi Pride on the Topi Plains, which grew to about thirty lions at its peak. In the Covid years of 2020–2021 the Topi lionesses bore them seven sons, the Topi Boys, who took the Marsh Pride in December 2024. In December 2022 the three chased the young Black Rock brothers, who then caught Osapuk and Orkitok alone and injured all three.

In the December 2022 fight with the Black Rock brothers he was found injured in the bushes. After Orkitok died in June 2025, Olepolos and Osapuk carried on together.

Member of the coalition The Sala’s Boys View the coalition
3Brothers
7Topi Boy sons
~30Topi Pride at its peak
2015Born

Profile

Identity

Name
OlepolosThe name he is best known by
Nicknames
Information not available
Origin of the name
Information not availableMeaning 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
August 2015
Birthplace
Masai Mara, Kenya
Birth pride
Sala’s Pride
Father
Information not availableOne of the two old Sala’s males
Mother
Information not availableA Sala’s Pride lioness
Siblings
Olepolos, Osapuk and Orkitok

Reign

Pride king
Yes, a pride male of the Sala’s Boys
Prides ruled
Rekero Pride; Topi Pride; later the Enguyanai Pride
Pride size
Information not available
Reign
About 7 years (c. 2018 – 2025)
Ruled with
His Sala’s brothers
Coalition
The Sala’s Boys
Home range
Topi Plains and central Masai Mara, Kenya
Territory size
Information not available

Death

Died
Information not availableStill living as of 2025
Age at death
Information not availableAbout 10 in 2025
Cause of death
Information not available
Place of death
Information not available
Burial
Information not available

Names & Meanings

OlepolosName

A Maa name; its meaning was not found in the sources used.

Family & Lineage

FathersOld Sala’s malesThe two males of the Sala’s Pride before them.
Sala’s Pride lionessMotherNot identified.
Sala’s BoyOlepolos2015 –
BrotherOsapukFather of several Topi Boys.View record →BrotherOrkitokDied in June 2025.View record →
Sons (reported)Topi BoysBelieved to include Nzuri, Moja Moja and others; accounts differ.

Life Story

  1. August 2015

    Born in the Sala’s Pride, Masai Mara.

  2. c. 2018 – 2019

    With his brothers, took the Rekero Pride.

  3. Afterwards

    Took the Topi Pride on the Topi Plains.

  4. 2020 – 2021

    The Topi lionesses bore the seven Topi Boys.

  5. December 2022

    Fought the young Black Rock brothers; all three Sala’s Boys were injured.

  6. June 2025

    Orkitok died; Olepolos continued with Osapuk.

Legend & Truth

Sons who replaced them

The Topi Boys, fathered by the Sala’s Boys, now rule the Marsh territory next to their fathers’ land.

Photographs

Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon

More photographs

Film

The film of Olepolos Sala’s life is coming soon

Animation

An animated story of Olepolos Sala’s life is coming soon

Sources

Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.

Back to The Archives