Yep, this magnified lion population issues since poachers would kill the lion and then a new one would step in, killing all the cubs, but then he’d also get poached and the process would repeat before cubs could grow.
So what is the normal natural balance to males killing their offspring? Obviously more pregnant lions is good genetic trait to have, but dead babies does not reenter gene pool. Super aggressive moms to defend against dad?
The strong protector prevents his cubs from being killed, preventing a new male from moving in.
This selects for genetically superior males OR younger more vigorous males.
Experience tips the balance of power so that youth can’t just win.
The natural balance is that the male isn’t removed from the equation before the equation can be written on the board.
