Growling around predator (3)
I believe the answer is:
owl
'predator' is the definition.
(owl is a kind of predator)
'growling around' is the wordplay.
'around' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'OWL' is hidden within 'growling'.
(Other definitions for owl that I've seen before include "Solemn person" , "Predator" , "You'll need hooter" , "Athena's bird" , "Winged hooter" .)