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Home Animals Bravery Tested: Male Lions Tackle a Raging River

Bravery Tested: Male Lions Tackle a Raging River

The speed of the current after recent rain was extremely high. This didn’t phase the lions as they jumped in.

Liam Saville
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In a rare and remarkable display of survival and brotherhood, the Massai Mara’s famed Sankai brothers—lions, Lemurt, Kini, and Seenka—were captured crossing the swollen Rongai River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The footage, captured on January 16, 2024, by wildlife photographer and Game Ranger Richard Mututua, has since made waves among wildlife enthusiasts.

Two lions on the bank of the swollen Rongai River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Content supplied to latestsightings.com by Richard Mututua
Two lions entering the swollen Rongai River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve
Content supplied to latestsightings.com by Richard Mututua

A Scene of Courage and Determination

As the coalition of brothers approached the riverbank, what would typically be a calm section of the Rongai River, was instead a raging torrent of water. With the previous day’s heavy rains having turned the otherwise simple crossing into a perilous undertaking.

Ever cautious, the three big cats slowly approached the water. Their apprehension palpable as they appeared to weigh up their chances of making it across while seemingly accepting that making that the crossing was a necessity.

With little more than an indignant growl, Kini was the first of the brothers to make the plunge, and he immediately found himself swept away by the water. Undeterred, the blonde-maned Lemurt was next, and he too was quickly caught by the current, leaving only the darker-maned Seenka on the bank.

As the camera pans downstream, the two lions struggle against the power of the water. Slowly, eventually, they pulled themselves through the current and made their way towards the far side of the river.

Kini, the stronger swimmer of the two, was the first to make it ashore. Soaked to the skin and looking exhausted, he’s followed moments later by his blonde and equally tired brother, who drifted further in the current and had to backtrack along the riverbank to find his brother. Yet, as the video ends, the question remains—what is the fate of the third big cat?           

Despite considerable online speculation, we know that all three brothers survived the swim. Richard Mututua clarified this on Instagram, telling his followers who asked about the lion’s fate, “there [sic] all together.”

Two lions struggling to swim across the swollen Rongai River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Content supplied to latestsightings.com by Richard Mututua

Kini, the stronger swimmer of the two, is the first to pull himself ashore. Soaked to the skin and looking exhausted, he’s followed moments later by his blonde and equally tired brother, who drifted further in the current and has had to backtrack along the riverbank to find his brother.

Yet, as the video ends, the question remains—what is the fate of the third big cat?           

Despite considerable online speculation, we know that all three brothers survived the swim. Richard Mututua clarified this on Instagram, telling his followers who asked about the lion’s fate, “there [sic] all together.”

Two lions swim across the swollen Rongai River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, as a third looks on.
Content supplied to latestsightings.com by Richard Mututua

A Coalition Like No Other

The Sankai brothers are a well-known coalition of lions, and they’re widely considered to be one of the most impressive groups of brothers currently in the Maasai Mara.

The group was originally comprised of five brothers, Lemurt, Kini, Seenka, Merrinyo and Lerai.

All offspring of prominent males Olerai and Olekiti. Over time, the coalition has faced some challenges, which led to the loss of two members. Merrinyo disappeared during the spring or summer of 2022, most likely due to conflicts with rival males, and rangers last saw Lerai in late October or early November of that year.  

A tired lion climbs out of the swollen Rongai River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Content supplied to latestsightings.com by Richard Mututua

The Power of Nature’s Spectacle

The footage of the three remaining Sankai brothers crossing the Rongai River is a vivid reminder of nature’s raw power and beauty. Highlighting the dangers lions like the brothers face in their quest to survive as well as their incredible ability to overcome adversity.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve continues to attract visitors from around the globe, and videos like this river crossing go a long way towards spreading the importance of conservation efforts.

A lion rushes through long grass along the Rongai River riverbank in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Content supplied to latestsightings.com by Richard Mututua

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