I wonder if this is an actual, naturally occurring 'real thing', that happens in the wilds. Or if the only lions put into the study just happened to have just come back from a stylish 'poodle clip', right before capture. It IS possible.

I know years ago, my Grandparents next-door neighbor's poodle Fifi Martini had a clip like that. An odd little ball at the end of the tail. Looked like some sort of fuzzy, white, invert plumb-bob wagging in the wind. And I KNOW it wasn't natural, it all came from the doggy barber. I SAW it. I think I'm onto something here. More investigation is in order on the African veldt.