Updated June 2021
The King of The Masai Mara
It was he, Scarface the lion (Scar), curled up like a housecat in the grass, his thick dew-covered mane sparkling in the sun. His brothers Hunter, Sikio, and Morani were nearby; they also slept. The Four Musketeers, known for their prowess and savagery, instead looked precious where they lay.
Though they all are well known, Scar is the real celebrity. To see him in real life is considered a “thing.” In Kenya’s Masai Mara, when travelers on safari compare notes there’s one defining factor, those who’ve seen Scar and those who have not. Photographers from around the world quake with delight at the sight of him. (You can find additional photos and videos on the Scarface the Lion Facebook page.)
Scar’s virility is legendary and coupled with his rugged good looks—a black widow’s peak and a mane that sweeps back from his forehead like a
How Did Scar Get His Namesake Scar?
Scar earned his moniker in 2012 when he lost his right eyelid while making a territory grab with his three brothers Hunter, Sikio, and Morani. (Here’s a photo of him at that time.) They won the paws of the fair Marsh Pride females, defeating the lesser males they killed or sent packing.
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Though he’s not without his close calls. He narrowly escaped death after being speared by a Maasai warrior protecting his cattle. But with the help of conservancy vets he was soon back on the hunt.
An Encounter: The Sleeping King
I’m alone in the jeep with my guide Sammy. Earlier, we’d heard from a couple of rangers that there were big cats ahead. Putting the vehicle in gear, we sped along the dusty dirt road to the spot where the four lions lay, not knowing if the male we sought was among them. I looked at Sammy, his binoculars digging into his forehead, as his concentration gave way to a toothy grin. “Scar!” he whispered. I was overjoyed.
Watching him sleep, I’m trying to imagine him in battle. Claws extended, his face twisting into a snarl as a low guttural rumble explodes into a deafening roar. But I can’t, he looks too sweet, too vulnerable, like an oversized pet.
For a moment he raises his head. Is that a baboon alarm call telling its troop that the lions are near? He sniffs the air then surveys the landscape. Indifferent to the waking plains, he uses his large paws as a pillow and falls back to sleep,
I will see Scar a few times after this first encounter, walking alone through the high grass or sleeping yet again. I never see the stuff his legend is made of. But at night I hear it, I hear the warrior, his husky bellow piercing the black with a force that shakes the trees.
I hear the king, the legend, claiming his domain.
Scar Today
6.12.21 – The great Scarface passed away yesterday at 1 pm according to Kenya’s Wildlife Service in the Masai Mara. R.I.P.
6.11.21: It breaks my heart to say this, but it seems that Scar may not be long for this world. Images and comments from guides and guests in the bush reveal a very diminished king who is weak and drastically underweight.
According to comments, he, thankfully, doesn’t seem to be in pain, but there’s no doubt he is near the end of his time here on earth. I so hoped to see him again before this happened, but it seems I am too late. At 14, Scar has lived much longer than the average lion. This time was near.
I will always remember him as he was when I last saw him. Strong, healthy, handsome, and the master of his universe.
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I saw him at the beginning of Nov 2020 with his pride (his brothers, 2 lioness and 3 little cubs). He is limping but still live and kicking 🙂
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you very much for letting me know!
he was sighted on the 14th of September along with two other male lions…they were sleeping by a tree!
Fantastic! I wonder if they were his brothers Sikio and Hunter? So glad he’s still alive. Was he in the Mara Triangle?
Scar is still here. We saw him yesterday and this morning with his brothers. Mara open. Full of animals, only few travelers. 18 th of September 2020
I am so glad to hear that! I bet it must be fantastic in the Mara without all the people (except for the economic impact of course). I hope I’m able to make it back and see him before he’s gone. He’s getting old. Was he limping when you saw him?
Scar is alive. we sighted him on 1st of August 2020.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear it.
Is the Mara open for visitors now?
Hi. We met scarface on 17th Nov. He’s active in spite of the limp and age…
Thank you so much for letting me know!! Glad to hear it.
I was in Masai Mara October 2019 and came across Scarface, another male with a scar on the Right eye and a female. They were all resting after a meal. The next day saw the female that had an injury on left hip walking away. Day after that we saw mating between another female and a male that had a scar on the right eye. My guide told me it was scarface but I doubt if he has the energy for mating. If it was not scarface, is there another male in Marsh Pride that has a scar on the Right eye?
Dr Vasanth Joshi
Hello Vasanth!
How wonderful that you saw Scar! I’m not familiar with the second male who has an injury above his right eye as well. Scar’s right eye has no upper lid. It’s constantly open, in addition to the damage done around it. I would heed your guide. I’ve been told by guides and photographers in the bush this season that Scar is still an Alpha, despite his hip, and mating. Which makes me so happy. He’s an incredible animal.
I am leaving Kenya tonight and was in the Mara last week- saw the Marsh Pride and saw a male lion there who displayed a visible scar on the right eye- I’m comparing photos and he appears to have a lighter mane than Scarface. Is there another male in the Pride with a scar also? I have several photos if that would help.
Hmmm… I don’t know. Definitely could be Scar. Send the photo to Susan@theinsatiabletraveler.com.
Wow! the pride of a Nation is its wildlife.. thank you for sharing.
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it. 🙂
Wonderful idea that you personalized this special animal. I hope no human ever harms him again.
These are gorgeous shots. Maasai Mara is spectacular, but so are Meru and Samburu and Tsavo and so many other places in Kenya. Hopefully photography like yours will help protect these wild places.
PS kudos for correctly conjugating “lie/lay”
It’s so true, there is so much beauty in Kenya.
Thank you for the kind words.
Really it’s wonderful experience..🙂
It sure is!
I would love to hear that roaring in the night. How wonderful that so many of you have gotten to experience such a thing! Wonderful photos of an amazing creature!
He’s truly amazing. It’s just sad because it’s only a matter of time (and sooner than later) where he’ll stop winning. He’s an old boy, some estimate 10 years. I really hope I see him again before that happens.
I hope you get to do that, Susan. He’s beautiful.
Hello,
Bit late,Very beautiful photos.
Is Scarface still around mara?
Will mara triangle be a good spot for Sikio and Scarface ?
Can’t day unfortunately. They move around.
My husband and I just came back from Kenya and the Mara (October 2017) and were extremely lucky in that we saw Scarface. He was sitting beside the road with a lioness. Our guide said that we were really lucky and he was right. It was amazing. Unfortunately he is getting very old and our guide didn’t feel there was much time left for him. The whole Kenya safari was the best trip ever! I would go back in a minute!
It’s wonderful that you got to see him. I worry that I won’t get back there to see him before he’s gone. That said, I had friends there for 8 weeks this passed summer and they said he was mating and defending himself so hopefully he’s got a little more time than expected left.
Dumb question from a TOTAL stranger to these things. If Scar’s eye looks so bad (the raw tissue exposed an all), and with the lion population in such danger, is there ever any thought given to capturing and delivery health care, then releasing such an animal back to his pride?
For the most part, the rangers/vets let nature take its course. If his injury is caused by living life as a lion then they really don’t interfere. That being said, he was speared by a Maasai when he was going after some livestock and the vets did assist at that point. There are certainly exceptions to these rules, but on the average that’s what they try to adhere to. Even if they wanted to help with every injury, the costs would be astronomical if it took place on any regular basis. They need vehicles, vets, dart guns, the tranquilizers and medicines, etc. etc.
Fantastic photos… Seen him twice , on two separate visits. Could drive round the Mara forever!!!
Hi Frank! Thank you so much! You and Jane (the reader who commented before you) were both quite lucky. The Mara is spectacular!
Fantastic narrative.. We have been to the Mara twice and seen him both times.. Once luckily we saw him mating .. He is a legend. Masai Mara is best place on earth. X
That is lucky Jane. I hope if I go again I am able to see him again. And I couldn’t agree with you more. The Mara is fantastic!!
Wow! Scar is The Big Thing, I’m half jealous and half ecstatic for you! Some really beautiful shots of him too, nice one. 😀
Thank you so much! Yes, Scar is magnificent. I’m thrilled that I was able to see him. 🙂
Stunning shots of this icon, who I’ve only heard of. Yet every time I’ve seen lions in South Africa their individual characteristics come through the uniqueness of each face. How I’d love to spend more time with them and recognize each individual. And at the end of the day, I could lay and listen to the lions roar all night except that wake up call comes SO early. Glad you got to see this dream come true.
I’m with you. I’d love the luxury of spending some real time in Africa watching and learning all about them. I always feel like I’m leaving as soon as I get there.
He’s a charismatic chap, he is! So glad you liked. 🙂
What a character! That opening shot of yours, the close-up of his face, sets the atmosphere perfectly Susan!
I so enjoy your posts, Susan. Amazing photos and such a great writing style that never fails to make me laugh! Chris
I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I really appreciate the kind words. It’s always a bit of a struggle for me so to know that you enjoyed it in the end is fantastic. Thank you!
He’s amazing!
He sure is Sarah!!
He definitely has the swagger of a celebrity in the photo you took of him walking towards you. I am glad you were able to encounter your hero.
Swagger is a good name for it. I think he knows he’s a hot ticket!
He looks like a legend! Oh sigh .. Lucky you 🙂
Hi Julie –
It was pretty special. He’s so cool. :)))
Fabulous post! He does actually look quite sore in the first pic. And as if he’s cussing under his breath 🙂
OMG.. “cussing under his breath”… so perfect. I wish I’d thought of that. That’s exactly what he looks like. LOL.. Thank you so much. Thrilled you enjoyed the post.
Maybe even out of the side of his mouth. Either way he’s a tad unimpressed 🙂
LOL!
Oh wow, that would be exciting. How awesome to hear them roaring in the night.
It was Mary.. Simply divine. One of my favorite sounds on the planet. It’s surreal actually. Thank you for reading!! Have a great day. 🙂