About Lion Bob Junior The King Lion In Tanzania

Bob Jr., also known as Snyggve, “was just always an exceptionally handsome animal,” Craig Packer, professor and director of the lion research center at the University of Minnesota, said via telephone from the neighboring Maasai Mara reserve.

“This male lived in an area where he was very visible and would just knock your socks off because he was so good-looking,” Packer said of Bob Jr. “He had such a luxurious and impressive mane that people would immediately react to that, and all he had to do was sit up.”

Keith Somerville, a British conservationist and author of “Humans and Lions,” said he last saw Bob. Jr in 2016. He was exceptionally photogenic, Somerville said, but it was his mane that stood out the most. “I’ve seen an awful lot of lions, and I’ve never seen a lion with such an amazing mane,” he said.

Serengeti National Park did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but media in Tanzania reported that Bob Jr. was killed by three younger rivals during a territorial battle near the Namiri Plains.

“I think this is entirely normal and part of the cycle of life, where the survival of the fittest reigns,” said Rob Marchant, a professor of tropical ecology at the University of York.

“I am not sure which lions killed Bob Jr., but it could be quite likely that his offspring — now young and fitter — were the perpetrators. I am sure the genes of Bob Jr. will continue to live on through the many offspring he has fathered over the years,” Marchant said.

On average, Serengeti lions reach their prime and full size around 4 years old, Packer said, and are considered over the hill by age 12.

They rise to the top of their social order by operating in “coalitions,” he added, as groups of male lions keep competitors for females and food at bay. The strength of a lion’s roar is often an indicator to would-be rivals of a coalition’s dominance and numbers, he said.

“We are so individually minded … but it’s a numbers game that lions play. If there’s a younger but larger group, then they’re going to be on the ascent at the expense of the fewer and the older,” Packer added.

Bob Jr. — in a break with the arc of the Disney movie “The Lion King” — ruled in a pair with his brother Tryggve. His brother, known as “Marley,” is reported to have been killed in a separate but related battle.

“This is normal — it’s typically what happens,” said Packer, who works in conservation and spent time with Bob. Jr when he was a cub. “He was eventually ousted and killed by a trio.”

“He was much, much older and on his own. … It’s sad, but also it’s the way lions live,” Somerville added. However, the younger cubs in his pride may now seek retribution, he added, or face being killed in turn by the new rulers.

The Tanzania Times mourned the loss of “probably the best looking lion in Eastern Africa” but said Bob Jr. “ends his legacy with honor.”

One safari group, Asilia Africa, paid tribute to Bob Jr. for his “distinctive and luxuriant black mane,” calling him “one of Africa’s most iconic lions,” whose life was an “incredible journey of pride takeovers and losses.”

Serengeti National Park is home to at least 3,000 lions, as well as elephants, rhinos, wildebeest and other wild animals. The northern Tanzania park is also a U.N. World Heritage site and attracts thousands of tourists from across the globe each year.

Bob Jr. “led a good life,” Packer said. “The way he died, that’s the way most males go who reach that exalted status — that’s the price they pay.”

Snyggve, who was always regarded as the ‘Lion King,’ in the Serengeti National Park is dead.

In fact, reliable reports reveal that; the mighty wild cat and king of the jungle was actually killed in fierce territorial battle.

Snyggve was the most famous lion in the world-renowned Serengeti, a game park famous for its annual wildebeest migrations. The Lion King has been featured in a number of documentaries.

A dispatch which reached the Tanzania Times on early Sunday Morning of March 12, 2023, says the ‘Lion King,’ was killed during a territorial fight which pitted Snyggve against three, younger, but equally strong, male lions.

The news of the Serengeti lion’s death has sent shockwaves across the wildlife communities around the world. Snygge was probably the best-looking Lion in Eastern Africa.

There are a number of tourists who would simply travel to Serengeti just to have a look at Snyggve.

Also famously known as Bob Junior among local tour guides and safari vehicle drivers, Snyggve has been the long term ruler of the Namiri Plains of Serengeti.

He was the king of this part of the endless plains, ruling alongside his brother and coalition partner, Tryggve the Lion. Young visitors who watched the Lion King movie prefer to call him ‘Simba!’ like the chief character in the animated film.

Tryggve who has been serving as Chief Minister in the Namiri Plains and who was also being predicted to take over Snyggve Kingdom, apparently was also killed in the scuffle.

Regarded as Lion watchers’ paradise, the Namiri Plains are located within the Soit Le Motonyi precinct in the Eastern parts of the Serengeti.

It takes about 90 minutes’ drive from Seronera airstrip for one to reach the Soit Le Motonyi area.

Both Snyggve and Tryggve were sons of the legendary male C-Boy. They have been ruling this part of the Serengeti plains for around seven years now.

The Lion King who died at a rather advanced age of 12 years ends his legacy with honour.

Zoological experts explain that because this unique male lion died on the battlefield that is essentially an honourable death among lions.

Snyggve was born in 2010 and has quite a history.

His father was an equally famous lion called Bob who due to his dreadlock encrusted black mane, was named after Bob Marley.