Except 3 small cages In remaining 4 cages 3 lions can be caged In 4P3 ways.
Now, In the remainIng (1 big + 3 small) 4 cages the remainIng 4 lions can be caged In 4P4 ways.
∴ Total permutations of cagIng 7 lions in
7 cages = 4P3 . 4P4
= (4 × 3 × 2) × 4!
= 24 × 24
= 576