Orkirikoi
Solitary male lion in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Born in November 2018 into the legendary Marsh Pride of the Maasai Mara, Orkirikoi began his nomadic life early at just two years old, guided by his mother. After losing both his brothers and mother, he formed a crucial alliance with Olobarani. Together, they joined the Survey Pride, establishing a new family and siring six cubs. Tragedy struck in March 2024 when Olobarani went missing, forcing Orkirikoi into a grueling existence as a lone male. Undeterred, he raised the cubs alongside the three Survey Pride lionesses; remarkably, four survived and are now over two years old. Facing new pressures, Orkirikoi was forced back into nomadism in October 2025 and continues to live alone today. Throughout 2024 and 2025, he continuously defended his territory and protected his family. However, the large number of invaders kept putting pressure on him, wounding him time and again, until he was eventually forced into a nomadic life for good. Male lions rely on numbers to win fights; many have brothers to fight alongside them. Having lost his partner, he needs to find a new companion to form an alliance if he hopes to become a resident pride male once again.
Territory: Nomadic, near Survey Pride