Prides of three to ten lionesses have higher individual fitness than smaller prides, owing to cooperative territorial defence.

This fits the imperative of territorial defence and probably goes some way to explaining home advantage.

The alliance has real plans, real exercises and real capabilities in its core mission, the territorial defence of its members.

These helpers participate in territorial defence and alarm calling, and in the feeding of nestlings and fledglings of the breeding pair.

Females may also participate in territorial defence but usually only against other females or juveniles.