Deceased

Scar Nose

Also known as Scar-nosed Majingilane · The Second of the Majingilane

c. 2004 – 2018

Born in Orpen area, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Scar Nose was one of the four Majingilane, the male lions who ruled the Sabi Sand Game Reserve beside Kruger National Park from 2010 to 2018. Easily recognised by the scars across his nose, he was the second-ranked male of the coalition and the almost inseparable partner of Dark Mane. He was also the fiercest towards cubs not his own: rangers believe it was he who killed a Tsalala cub soon after it returned to the pride after going missing.

The Majingilane were born around 2004–2005, most likely in the Orpen area of Kruger National Park, and arrived in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in early to mid-2010 as a coalition of five. On 8 June 2010 the Mapogo males Mr. T and Kinky Tail caught and killed the youngest of them, and that same night the remaining four hunted down Kinky Tail and killed him. When all five Mapogos came for revenge in July, the four withdrew into Kruger, then returned. Over the next eight years they ruled almost half of the Sabi Sand, dominating the Tsalala, Breakaway Tsalala, Fourways, Styx and Sparta prides and later following the Mhangeni lionesses west.

In the coalition’s last years he and Dark Mane finally parted, both thin and old. On 3 April 2018 Scar Nose was seen on Londolozi looking frail, and soon afterwards he died, the third of the four to go, at about 13 or 14. Dark Mane disappeared a few weeks later. Scar Nose’s offspring live on in the prides the coalition ruled.

~8Years of reign

~13Age at death

5Prides at their peak

4Males in his coalition

Profile

Identity

Name: Scar NoseThe name he is best known by
Nicknames: Scar-nosed Majingilane
Origin of the name: Named by Sabi Sand guides for his most obvious feature
Sex: Male
Distinguishing features: A heavily scarred nose
Weight: Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg

Birth & Family

Born: c. 2004 – 2005
Birthplace: Orpen area, Kruger National Park, South AfricaNot confirmed; some accounts say the Manyeleti area next to Kruger
Birth pride: Information not availableNot known; reportedly a pride with a reputation for hunting buffalo
Father: Information not available
Mother: Information not available
Siblings: Dark Mane, Scar Nose, Hip Scar, Golden Mane and a fifth male (brothers or close relatives)

Reign

Pride king: Yes, the second-ranked Majingilane
Prides ruled: Tsalala, Breakaway Tsalala, Fourways, Styx and Sparta prides; later the Mhangeni prideDominant over five prides at once at their peak
Pride size: Information not available
Reign: About 7–8 years (2010 – 2017/2018)
Ruled with: His Majingilane brothers
Coalition: The Majingilane
Home range: Central and eastern Sabi Sand Game Reserve, including Londolozi, South Africa
Territory size: Information not availableAt their peak the coalition ruled almost half of the Sabi Sand

Death

Died: c. April 2018Seen frail on Londolozi on 3 April 2018; reported dead soon afterwards
Age at death: About 13–14 years
Cause of death: Old ageHe had become weak and emaciated
Place of death: Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South AfricaExact place not recorded
Burial: Information not availableNo burial was reported

Names & Meanings

Scar NoseName

Named by Sabi Sand guides for the scars across his nose. Also written Scar-Nose.

Scar-nosed MajingilaneFull name

The form used by Londolozi rangers.

MajingilaneCoalition name

Coined for watchmen who patrol the night, marching with intent and never changing course.

Family & Lineage

Not knownParentsTheir parents were never identified; they arrived from Kruger as young adults.

Scar-nosed MajingilaneScar Nosec. 2004 – 2018

Brother · first-rankedDark ManeThe most dominant of the four and the last to go, in 2018. His body was never found.View record →Brother · third-rankedGolden ManeAlso called the Missing Canine male. Died in early 2018 after a buffalo injury.View record →BrotherHip ScarThe limping, gentle one at the back. The first of the four to die, in February 2017.View record →

BrotherThe fifth MajingilaneThe youngest of the five. Killed by the Mapogo males Mr. T and Kinky Tail on 8 June 2010.

OffspringCubs of the coalitionFathered with the Majingilane brothers across five prides; in a coalition, which male fathered which cub is not known. The Tsalala pride alone had 11 cubs by them, of which 3 survived to 2012.

Life Story

c. 2004 – 2005
Born, most likely in a pride near the Orpen area of Kruger National Park; some accounts say the Manyeleti area, in a pride known for hunting buffalo.
Early – mid 2010
Arrived in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve from Kruger as one of five young males.
May 2010
The coalition was seen for the first time on Londolozi.
8 June 2010
The Mapogo males Mr. T and Kinky Tail killed the youngest Majingilane. That night the remaining four, including this male, tracked down Kinky Tail and killed him.
July 2010
When the five remaining Mapogos marched east for revenge, the Majingilane withdrew into Kruger, then returned once the Mapogos had gone.
2010 – 2012
Took control of most of Londolozi and the central Sabi Sand, and became dominant over five prides: Tsalala, Breakaway Tsalala, Fourways, Styx and Sparta.
October 2012
The coalition caught an intruding young male on their southern boundary and mauled him until a bull elephant charged and he escaped.
2011 – 2012
Thought to have killed a Tsalala cub that had just returned to the pride after a couple of weeks missing. The Majingilane were especially aggressive towards the Tsalala litters of 2011.
2011 – 2017
Seen most often with Dark Mane; also photographed grooming Hip Scar on a winter morning.
February 2017
Hip Scar, the first of the four, died.
Early 2018
Golden Mane died, leaving only Scar Nose and Dark Mane.
3 April 2018
Seen on Londolozi looking frail.
April 2018
Died, the third Majingilane to go. Dark Mane disappeared within weeks.

Legend & Truth

A cub killer

Male lions often kill cubs fathered by rivals. The Majingilane’s hostility to the Tsalala pride’s 2011 litters led to speculation about who had fathered them.