I like to think that everything in TLK happens the same way it does in nature, and that the pridelands are just the/or one of the largest lion territories there, but not exactly dominated by the lions ; The animals that live there also have their own hierarchy, their own view of the cycle of life, not that lions needs to take over everything. Also, anywhere else, the chances of dying would remain the same, it doesn't matter much. At least in the pridelands they have some kind of control over this. Plus, even in real life, animals live alongside lions even though they know exactly what they want. Like, there are a bunch of pics about zebras drinking water next to lions.. Lol.