Cooperative hunting strategy in lions is based on groups of
three to seven individuals split into two highly specialized roles, centers and wings, which coordinate their movement to encircle and ambush the prey. In a line of lions, the outside individuals, also known as the wings, will first run out to the sides of the intended target while the center lies in an ambush position. As the wings slowly encircle their mark, the prey will be driven towards the waiting center, often one of the older and heavier individuals in the group, who will then pounce and make the kill. Each individual in the group learns its preferred role during youth, whether it be center or wing. A child does not necessarily perform the same position as its mother since it learns through observing other lionesses in the pride. Individuals have also been shown to perform positions other than their natural place depending on whether another individual has already filled their role. Despite this plasticity, hunting success is greatest when every individual in the group can perform its specialized role.
This text was modified from Wikipedia, verified independently through other sources (some animal behavior is common knowledge)