Date:07/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/yw/2009/07/07/stories/2009070750420300.htm

Pride of togetherness

Photo : AFP

Ganging up: Strong in numbers.

Lions form prides to defend territory against other lions, not to improve their hunting success, a study reveals. In doing so, they act much like street gangs, gathering together to protect their turf from interlopers, says a leading lion expert. The discovery helps explain why lions, uniquely among the cat species, live together in social groups. Across Africa and Asia, lions form prides of varying sizes comprising one or more males and often numerous females and cubs. Th e study analysed the behaviour of 46 lion prides living in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

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