JW Marriott Implicated in Cover-Up of Lorkulup’s Death, Threatening Maasai Mara’s Iconic Ecosystem

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On January 27, 2025, between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM, the remains of Lorkulup, one of Kenya’s most iconic lions, were discovered at a location marked as Point 7 within the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Contrary to the official report by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which falsely claimed their rangers were the first to find the remains, it was a local photographer, a frequent visitor to the region, who made the grim discovery.

Lorkulup’s death, alongside that of another lion, Olobor, is directly linked to illegal cattle grazing within the protected boundaries of the Maasai Mara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves.

The Black Rockers Foundation, through an extensive investigation spanning over six months, has compiled compelling evidence of systemic illegal grazing within the reserve, which directly contributed to the deaths of these majestic animals.

This evidence is part of a comprehensive report set to be finalized by the end of 2025 and submitted to the United Nations, as well as sponsors, donors, and supporters of the Maasai Mara Reserve.

Below is a summary of key findings from the Foundation’s presentation, highlighting the environmental violations and the cover-up surrounding Lorkulup’s death:

1. Cattle Trails Inside the Reserve (Item 6): Satellite imagery from late 2023 reveals extensive cattle trails penetrating deep into the Maasai Mara Reserve. These trails, clearly visible and leading directly into protected areas, indicate rampant illegal grazing with no apparent oversight from local authorities.

2. Cattle Wells on the Talek River (Item 8): Large cattle wells, marked as dark circles in the imagery, are strategically positioned along the banks of the Talek River and at the edge of the reserve’s core area. These wells, filled with cattle, are a clear violation of the reserve’s protected status and pose a direct threat to wildlife.

3. Proximity to Lorkulup’s Remains (Items 7 and 8): The site where Lorkulup’s head was found (Point 1) is just 890 meters east of active illegal grazing areas (Points 2–5).

Zooming in on Points 2–5 reveals cattle grazing in broad daylight within the reserve, underscoring the lack of enforcement by the KWS or other responsible authorities.

4. Scale of Illegal Activity (Points 1–5): When examining Points 1 to 5 on a smaller scale, the extent of the grazing intrusion becomes evident. Zooming in further on Points 2 to 5 highlights the audacity of these activities, conducted openly within a protected wildlife sanctuary.

The Black Rockers Foundation’s findings point to a systemic failure by the KWS and local authorities to curb illegal grazing, which has led to devastating consequences for the Maasai Mara’s wildlife, including the deaths of Lorkulup and Olobor.

The KWS’s attempt to obscure the truth about who discovered Lorkulup’s remains suggests a possible cover-up to deflect responsibility for their failure to protect the reserve.

The unchecked grazing not only endangers iconic species but also threatens the ecological integrity of the Maasai Mara, a critical habitat for countless animals and a global conservation treasure.

The forthcoming report will provide a detailed account of these violations, supported by satellite imagery, firsthand accounts, and other evidence.

By presenting this to the UN and the reserve’s supporters, the Black Rockers Foundation aims to spur urgent action to address illegal grazing, strengthen enforcement, and prevent further tragedies in the Maasai Mara.

In a grievous betrayal of Kenya’s natural heritage, Narok Governor Stephen Ole Ntutu and President William Ruto have orchestrated a sinister cover-up of the brutal killing of Lorkulup, the revered King of the Maasai Mara, to safeguard their vested interests in the newly established JW Sand River Resort.

This past week, Ruto, ferried in a resort Landcruiser to oversee the resort’s progress, and Ntutu, steeped in avarice, have colluded to suppress the truth about Lorkulup’s death, fearing it would jeopardize their landholdings and shares in this opulent venture.

JW Marriott, complicit in this ecological sacrilege, has abetted the disruption of the Mara’s delicate ecosystem, manipulating migratory corridors to afford their affluent guests privileged vistas, while emboldening corrupt ranchers who exploit these altered pathways for illegal grazing.

Ruto and Ntutu, their integrity corroded to the core, are propped up by foreign entities like JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton, whose investments in Kenya have precipitated the demise of Lorkulup, the earth’s most formidable hunter, sacrificing the soul of the Maasai Mara for profit and power.