There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Guides are more salesman than scientists while on a drive. Especially if it comes to their online presence.
They have a safari to sell and people like to hear they saw the biggest, strongest and coolest animals. So they tell the people what they want to hear, even if they themselves know the lions in front of them are just the weak runts of the reserve.
Offcource if asked, they would gladly share how they truly feel a lion ranks in the size department.
Its not like they are out to scam people. They are just aware that the average guest does not care about this kind of stuff and only rarely run into one that is actually interested in the animals themselves beyond pointing excitingly at a leopard and yelling something about how much the cheetah looks like Simba at home.
So a random comment that a lion is big should be taken with a grain of salt and not as a official ranking.