Scarface, Africa’s most iconic lion, has died of natural causes. The lion lived in the famous Kenyan natural reserve of the Masai Mara, in the southwest of the African country. Conservationists have expressed their deep sadness at the loss of the feline recognized for its characteristic scar on its face.
The Kenyan lion whose name in Spanish means Scarface, died of natural causes, as indicated by the Mara Predator Conservation Program (MPCP). «Scarface died peacefully. Without any disturbance from vehicles and hyenas. We were the only vehicle on the scene and by his side, hoping to give him some kind of comfort,» the conservation program told local media.
The death of the lion has aroused deep sadness among the most staunch groups of natural conservationists. Scarface was the oldest lion in the Masai Marareached the age of 14 and became a legend on the reservation. He gained great popularity in the world for his characteristic scar on his right eye that gave him the name Scarface.
Scarface was one of the famous Four Musketeers, he and his brothers They ruled a territory of approximately 400 square kilometers in the Mara reserve. It is estimated that between 850 and 900 lions live in the wild on the land, and Scarface was the longest-lived of all of them.
Words of honor to the «King of Mara»
The conservation community has shown words in honor of the King of Mara. African wildlife photographer Randall Ball said Scarface “was and always will be a legend. He will be remembered around the world as one of the most famous lions of the Masai Mara. As one of the coalition of the Four Musketeers, he and his brothers ruled the Mara during his reign.» He added that people from all over the world came to the nature reserve just to see the mighty lion and he was also one of the most photographed.
For its part, the organization World Heritage Species published: «We are heartbroken to announce that the legendary ‘Scarface’ passed away today of natural causes in his beloved home in Mara.»
🥀We are heartbroken to announce that the legendary 'Scarface' passed away today of natural causes in his beloved Mara home.🥀 #restinpower, #OurHeritageToProtect, #WorldHeritageSpecies
(image credit: Susan Portnoy) pic.twitter.com/l57jPP8FzG
— WHS – World Heritage Species (@WhsSpecies) June 11, 2021
The life of an African lion in the wild ranges from 10 to 14 years of age. However, Scarface reached his full age despite the great dangers he faced living in the wild. His reign left him with war scars and injuries from his tenure as King of the Mara. Among them the most emblematic, a scar on the right side of his face due to the loss of an eye.
It might interest you