The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word PREDATING
P
R
E
D
A
T
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result PREDATING
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Coming before/activity of lions on the prowl" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case coming before/activity of lions on the prowl = predating.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PREDATING mean?
PREDATING verb- To designate a date earlier than the actual one; to move a date, appointment, event, or period of time to an earlier point (contrast "postdate".)
- To exist or to occur before something else; to antedate.
- To prey upon something.