I don't know how viable this is, but I've just had a thought for something to make males, that aren't pride leaders useful, and not run away at 2 yrs old.

Here goes.

Instead of being chased off, male cubs, at 2 years move into a separate group in our pride. Possibly called "The outskirts" [ETA] Possibly holding no more than 6 lions.

In that group, the males can be battled against each other. When they win their skills and levels increase. It would work in a combination of fighting the beasts we meet while hunting, and the attacking of another players male.

So, you couldn't keep fighting a high level one against a very low level to falsely build him up.

At any point you could chase off males, the same as females. And the aim would be to build up a new generation of strong males.

Then, give the option of fighting one of your male group against your main male, when it's level is high enough to match it in a battle.

If the younger male looses the battle, then he is chased off, so you'd have to take that chance. If it wins, the main lion is replaced by the youngster.

You'd have the choice of transferring the custom colours and markings to your new male, but the youngster would keep the stats it has built up.

That's about it. If others think up other things to add, I'll add them to this.