[FlingWingFlyer]

The beloved animal was protecting Cecil's lion cubs after he was shot dead

This is BS. I saw a show on one of the "learning" channels once that shocked me. If a male lion takes over another male's digs, he kills the other male's cubs. I thought it was evil but after all, they are animals. I know Cecil's cubs were not happy to see uncle Jericho show up.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

In the case of brothers they can be co-alphas and if one dies the other will not kill the cubs.

Of course the chances of the remaining brother remaining Alpha for long is not good. He is used to fighting as a team and will not be able to fight off another team of brothers or even a single lion used to fighting solo.