Farewell to a King: The End of Scarface, the World’s Most Famous Lion
The lion who became iconic due to his famous scar has passed away this month in a Kenyan reserve. Despite surviving many threats, his death was from natural causes.
Scarface. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKHe was one of the most famous lions in the world, with his own social media presence, but this month the lion known as "Scarface" passed away in a Kenyan reserve.
"Scarface" was a lion from the Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya. He passed away this month at the age of 14, having gained fame due to the scar over his right eye and his magnificent mane.
Scarface survived numerous attempts on his life, including one by a Maasai tribesman defending his cattle herd, but ultimately died of natural causes.
Scarface ruled over a vast territory between the Malykane and Ashnil camps within the Kenyan reserve, a domain he shared with his three brothers. Together they led a pride of lions that included nine lionesses, several cubs, and a few young males. His scar was the result of a territorial skirmish ten years ago when he was just four years old.
Over the years, veterinarians treated the wound over his eye when it reopened, preventing infection. Wildlife photographer George Logan, who documented the famous lion, noted that Scarface ruled his territory thanks to his distinct appearance.
In the last two months, Scarface had become thin and frail, eventually passing away peacefully at the start of the month. Today, lions in African nations face significant threats of extinction, with experts estimating only about 20,000 lions left in the wild worldwide.
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