Fate unknown

Spear Boy

Also known as Spearboy · The Survivor of the Mara

c. 2013 – c. 2023

Born in Masai Mara, Kenya

Spear Boy, usually written Spearboy, was a male lion of Kenya’s Masai Mara and one of the most admired survivors of the famous Notch bloodline. He is reported to have been born in 2013 in the Rongai Pride, a son of Notch II and a grandson of the legendary Notch, whose father-and-sons coalition dominated the Mara for about a decade.

As a young nomad he was speared by cattle herders near the Talek border. The wound reportedly damaged his hip and hind leg, and he walked with a heavy limp for the rest of his life. For most male lions an injury like this would mean death, but Spear Boy kept going. Guides noticed that rival males saw him as no threat, and as long as he behaved submissively they usually let him be.

Around 2018–2019 he was found travelling with his father, Notch II, who had lost his last pride. The two formed a rare father-and-son coalition, just as Notch had once done with his own sons, and stayed together for more than a year until Notch II disappeared around 2020. Spear Boy is reported to have teamed up with another nomad, Kutiti, in early 2023 and to have taken over the Kisinger Pride. He was last reliably seen in April–May 2023, and what happened to him has never been confirmed.

<1Years of reign

~10Age when last seen

—Lionesses in his pride

2Males in his coalition

Profile

Identity

Name: Spear BoyAlso written Spearboy
Nicknames: Spearboy
Origin of the name: Named after the herder’s spear wound that left him with a permanent limpWho first used the name has not been documented
Sex: Male
Distinguishing features: A permanent limp in one hind leg from a spear woundReported to be smaller than most adult males because of the injury
Weight: Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg

Birth & Family

Born: May 2013Reportedly; some sources give August 2013
Birthplace: Masai Mara, Kenya
Birth pride: Rongai PrideReportedly
Father: Notch IISon of Notch, the Father of Kings
Mother: Information not availableA Rongai Pride lioness; her identity has not been documented
Siblings: Information not available

Reign

Pride king: Reportedly, late in lifeWith Kutiti, in early 2023
Prides ruled: Kisinger Pride (2023)Reportedly
Pride size: Information not available
Reign: A few months (early 2023)Reportedly
Ruled with: His father Notch II (c. 2018 – 2020); Kutiti (2023, reportedly)
Coalition: Information not available
Home range: Masai Mara, KenyaReported around the Talek area and, with his father, near Lookout Hill
Territory size: Information not available

Death

Died: Information not availableLast reliably seen in April–May 2023; his death has not been confirmed
Age at death: Information not availableHe was about 10 years old when last seen
Cause of death: Information not availableUnknown
Place of death: Information not available
Burial: Information not available

Names & Meanings

Spear BoyName

Given by guides because of the spear wound that crippled him as a young male. Also written Spearboy.

The Survivor of the MaraTitle

Used by fans for the years he lived as a lame nomad among rival males.

Family & Lineage

FatherNotch IIThe last of Notch’s five sons. Formed a father-and-son coalition with Spear Boy in his old age.View record →

LionessMotherA Rongai Pride lioness. Her identity has not been publicly documented.

The Survivor of the MaraSpear Boyc. 2013 – c. 2023

Brothers & sistersSiblingsHis littermates have not been publicly documented.

Not documentedOffspringNo cubs of Spear Boy have been documented.

Life Story

May 2013
Reportedly born in the Rongai Pride, a son of Notch II and grandson of Notch.
c. 2015 – 2017
As a young nomad, speared by cattle herders near the Talek border. The wound damaged his hip and hind leg and left him with a lifelong limp. Sources differ on the year.
2017
Filmed as a lone male trying to approach a coalition of four males; some of them attacked him, but one did not.
c. 2018 – 2019
Found travelling with his father, Notch II. The two formed a father-and-son coalition and stayed together for more than a year.
c. 2020
Notch II disappeared and is presumed dead. Spear Boy was alone again.
2021
Still surviving in the Mara, seen with another young male, two lionesses and two sub-adult males.
Early 2023
Reportedly formed a coalition with the nomad Kutiti and took over the Kisinger Pride.
April – May 2023
Last reliable sightings. His fate has never been confirmed.

Legend & Truth

History repeating itself

Notch survived losing the Marsh Pride by joining forces with his sons. Years later Notch II did the same with Spear Boy, a second father-and-son coalition in one family, something rarely recorded in wild lions.

Why rivals let him live

A fit young nomad would usually be chased or killed by resident males. Guides believe Spear Boy’s injury made him look harmless, so after a short scuffle other males often tolerated him.

Reported, not confirmed

Almost everything about Spear Boy comes from guides, safari videos and lion followers rather than published research. His birth month, the year he was speared, his time with Kutiti and his fate should all be read as reports.