The Maasai Mara National Reserve is in mourning after a renowned nomad lion, Jesse, was found dead following a vicious battle with other male lions.
It is tragic news that has left the wildlife conservation community, tourists and researchers devastated as they mourn the majestic animal.
According to a statement by the Mara Predator Conservation Programme (MPCP), rangers from the conservancy stumbled on the wounded lion who had been beaten to death by others.
The team quickly responded to the scene and identified the deceased big cat as Jesse, one of the park’s magnificent lions who was born in early 2011.
“Jesse was born in the Cheli pride in MNC and MPCP first got to know him when he was still a youngster within his pride,” it reads in part
Jesse and his brother Frank left the Cheli pride in 2014 and went ahead to successfully raise one set of offspring during their Offbeat pride tenure.
The statement further revealed that although all the sons sired by Jesse and Frank have either died or gone missing, their daughters are successfully continuing the Offbeat pride.
Jesse had to vacate the Offbeat pride when Frank went missing in 2016, forcing him to lead a nomadic life and lived as a nomad until his death.
“He was seen several times in Naboisho and Olare-Motorogi conservancies, and the National Reserve. Jesse eventually ventured back to MNC towards the beginning of 2023,” the statement continues.
He ended his days where he started as a pride male, in MNC’s Offbeat area, after the fatal fight with the current Offbeat males, the Engoyanai males most probable over territorial control.
