Watch This Young Lion Step Up to Defend His Siblings From a Hyena Clan

Young Male Lion Menacingly Faces Down a Clan of Hyenas to Defend His Siblings!

In the tension filled video at the top of this page, a young male lion comes around to defend his siblings! The scene opens to a gang of hyenas circling around a lion pride, spread into two little clusters. The hyenas are getting closer and closer to two of the lions feeding on a carcass. As the hyenas approach one of the two lions, a young lioness, roars towards them. The hyenas take this as a clear signal to clear off a bit. 

But after a couple seconds, the hyenas just begin closing in once again. Then, from another small huddle of lions of the same pride, a young male stands up. Head lowered and staring straight at the hyenas harassing his siblings, his intentions are clear. As soon as the young male starts walking towards the hyenas, they instantly back off once again. Giving a wide berth to the two lions they were originally harassing, the hyenas seem to realize the challenge they planned is impossible. 

As they enter young adulthood at four to six years, the male lions will participate in the pride’s activities more heavily. They form deep alliances and assert their roles within the hierarchy, without troubling their fathers too much. Collaborative hunting and patrolling with the pride reinforce their social standing. These activities also strengthen familial ties among the members of the lion pride.

The two are now locked in a standoff, the hyenas trying to circle around the lions. But the kings of the jungle refuse to be intimidated, they’ve made their point. The hyenas make one last approach towards the feeding lions. But now that they’re facing three lions, they give up all hope. The hyenas finally give it up, and in unison turn tail and run. The lions keep their claim on their meal, and the hyenas will have to try stealing from someone else!

These Adolescent Male Lions Will Go From Useful Helper to Evicted In Months!

The young male lions in the video at the top of the page may be aiding their pride now, but before long they’ll be gone! The life of a male lion is far from easy, with different challenges coming up with each stage of life. In the early stages, male lion cubs experience a closely-knit family dynamic. They form strong bonds through playful interactions and grooming rituals that lay the foundation for their social structure. From birth to around two years old, they frolic in the protective care of their mother, aunts, and siblings. For male lion cubs specifically, these early days of play lay the foundation for future coalitions, to form their own prides in the future.

Adolescence, which for male lions is around two to four years, witnesses the cubs evolving into curious and troublesome sub-adults. This phase is the training ground for the challenges that lie ahead. Under the watchful eyes of the pride, they can roughhouse and practice the skills they’ll need in the future! This all serves as a training ground for the challenges that lie ahead. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Staincliffe/iStock via Getty Images