Alex the Lion (born as Alakay and simply known as Alex) is the main protagonist of the Madagascar franchise.

He's a lion and "The King of New York." He was born in Africa. His father, Zuba, the alpha lion of his herd, tried to educate him to hunt, though Alex wanted to dance. When Makunga, Zuba's rival, tried to take his place as alpha lion, a group of human hunters trapped Alex and tamed him. Zuba couldn't rescue him. Ever since, he has lived in the Central Park Zoo, though he, and his three f