The African lion is perhaps the most overly romanticized and/or brutalized animal on the Masai Mara. The classically shaggy mane of hair gracing the males is instantly recognizable. While it is true that in fact female lions are the primary hunters for the pride, male lions are often relied on for sheer brute force. Infanticide is practiced by dominant males to ensure only their cubs survive.
somewhere up a tree 
Do you mean that the dominant males of the group kill the cubs that aren’t their own?
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Occasionally. When a dominant male ‘takes charge’ of a pride, either by driving out the previous alpha or by the death of the previous alpha (which is the more unlikely occurence), he often kills the cubs of the pride, which, of course, were fathered by a lion who wasn’t him. From a survival standpoint, it’s a smart choice. Those cubs are more likely to grow up and present a challenge to his dominance than his own. In addition, without a cub to take care of, the lionesses will come more quickly back to oestrus. While it may seem like a heartless act, it’s highly efficient and the best way of propagating your genes (that is, if you’re a lion. If you’re human, I would suggest avoiding it.).
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Oh, he is so majestic. But talk about a meany.
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‘Mean’ is a concept of human invention. 😛 But what is undeniable, no matter how mean, is that this is a majestic specimen of an animal.
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Incredible animal! You’ve captured a wonderful far-off gaze here.
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Thank you! The chance to observe these animals was absolutely an honor.
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