Do you remember earlier in the game how we had to Battle Pete, Zurg, Mother Gothel? And when we were done the portals would open to new areas? Although, I don't think Shere Khan opens a portal he is similar to one of those characters. Prior to the battling, they would walk around the kingdom, exerting their presence.
However, according to Reddit, there appears to be a bug in one of the prior updates. People are reporting that the battling prior to welcoming him is gone entirely, and at least one other person has reported after Welcoming him, the other one is still stalking around.
So bug.