hmm my first critique! Well maybe more a comment. Something that looks a bit odd is the completely white and structureless background. The fine hairs suggest it is not through selecton and deleting whatever was there. It seems real, combined with the smooth light on his face, probably it was a cloudy day in Europe or North America. The light does not look tropical.

Well it has not to look tropical, but somehow the white background keeps my attention (living in Kenya for some years).

Probably I would trim it a bit further to make it more classical, the body to the left looks a bit odd. Why not trim it so the body is gone, the right white margin, and maybe even some of the white sky. Also , maybe , a square format would suit it better. Then it would be a very classical portrait.

The animal itself, well there is not much to say: pretty much perfect. Focused eyes and looking as self-confident as a seasoned lion should look like. As with all men: scar make you interesting

As most lion portraits will look into the camera, I think this look is a good deviation from the norm. Why should that guy care about a photographer. They dont do here...

Hope you find my thoughts interesting, no need to agree!

PS: 3 points for originality (only), since there is a lot of lion portraits around, so in itself I dont think this motive and portrait is original. Maybe I am spoiled... Dont quite know what impact means...