>>58436937The male lion's job is to protect his territory and, consequently, protect the cubs that would otherwise be killed by other males to bring the females back into heat. These fights often involve one against three to six roaming lions, which is why a male's lifespan in the wild is so short.
Although these may seem cruel or unfair to us humans, they are simply ways that various species have found to adapt to their environment. In this case, leading the genders of the same species to specialize in tasks. For example, the spotted hyena opted for aggressive, big testosterone-fueled females who hunt in groups with submissive small males who stay near the dens to care for the cubs.
Both strategies have their pros and cons, but the point is the adaptation and survival of the species.
