The lion is the head of the animal kingdom and thus a non-fearing animal. Hence, the most consistent depiction is the king of jungle. Since time immemorial, people have drawn inferences regarding the characteristics and features of lions and used them in lion symbolism. These inferences have diverse symbolic meaning. For example, a male lion is a symbol of power, and the lioness is the Mother. And in psychology, the lion stands for the latent passions in the unconscious. Lion parts carry different symbolism as well. Its carcass associates with honey, its head with care and its tooth with eternity.

Centuries ago, lions were the most ubiquitous large land mammals after humans, but today the African lion population is estimated to be a pitiful 20,000 in the wild. According to the estimates from Kenya Wildlife Service out of that roughly around 2,000 remain in Kenya. But the country is losing around 100 of them on an annual basis. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service of America, over the coming 20 years, it is projected to lose 50% of its population. In the past 20 years, its population had collapsed by 50 percent, although some put the decline rate higher.

A lion’s meal starts with the entrails such as the heart, kidneys, and liver. But this feral cat’s cuisine tastes vary widely. Some lions will eat everything except the stomach. Others show an adamant preference for the intestines. Some male lions prefer the flesh and will eat the hindquarters, which is the fleshiest part, while the females eat the entrails. The last part they touch is the head, and it is very unusual for them to open the skull. It’s fast-working digestive system allows them to gorge an average of 18kg in one sitting, and go for seconds shortly after.

A lone lion finds it difficult to catch a prey because the prey they choose to kill is faster and nimbler than the lions and can easily outrun a single lion. So, to increase their success rate, they hunt together using teamwork and smart tactics to bring it down. They form hunting parties to attack the fast animals found in the savannahs. Interestingly, the group organizes the hunting methods very well in a scientific and ruthless manner. They work cooperatively to attack the prey by forming two groups. Each lioness develops her unique role contributing to the success of killing.