Blondie the Lion Killed by Trophy Hunter, Sparking Outrage

A hunter of trophies killed a lion studied by scientists from the University of Oxford after having apparently been attracted by a wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe, reviving a bitter debate between defenders of the hunt for trophies and environmentalists.

The five-year-old lion called Blondie was killed at the forefront of the Hwange National Park in northwestern Zimbabwe at the end of June, three months after the researchers equipped it with a GPS collar, the Africa Geographic Travel Company reported, which promotes conservation.

Why it matters

The murder comes 10 years after the murder of another famous lion, Cecil, which the researchers have studied for nine years, after being attracted to the same reserve of fauna and killed by an American trophita hunter.

The Lions have undergone a reduction in the catastrophic distribution area of 95%, with only around 24,000 remaining lions, estimate the environmentalists, due to poaching for the illegal fauna trade, the loss of housing and the conflict of humanity life, according to the Panthera conservation group.

The murder of a relatively young man as blonde can cause disorders in pride with rival males often killing cubs as they move in the territory of the dead lion.

What to know

Africa Geographic declared on his website that he had sponsored the blondie research collar which was equipped by the Reserve Reserve Research Unit of the University of Oxford in April.

“These GPS satellite necklaces are adjusted to follow lions in an idiot, preventing conflicts of human life and supporting long-term conservation,” he said.

The group said he thought Blondie was bait in a protected photographic concession area over a period of several weeks and attracted to a hunting area, where she was killed.

“Despite the wearing of a remarkable research collar and being younger than the minimum recommended hunting age of six years, this young lion was attracted to a photographic concession and killed in what many call a hunting deeply contrary to ethics,” said the group.

Simon Espley, managing director of Africa Geographic, said he was dismayed and angry with murder.

“This prominent blonde necklace did not prevent him from being offered to a hunting client, confirms the austere reality that no lion is immune to the hunting weapons of the trophies,” said Espley.

Hunting trophies is the practice of killing a big game like lions or elephants. The death of Cecil triggered world indignation at the trophy hunt. He is legal in Zimbabwe for professional hunters with a license, but criticisms say that he is poorly managed.

At the time of her death, Blondie was the dominant male of a pride which included three adult women and 10 small – seven cubs of about a year and three children of about a month.

“At just over five years old, Blondie was in the age of age.

Zimbabwe hunting regulations oblige a minimum age of 6 years for lions to be driven out, emphasizing mature males and no longer, said.

The hunter involved in the murder refused to comment on Africa Geographic, except to say that hunting was “legally and ethical,” said the group.

Nowsweek Contacta the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association for Comment.

The defenders of the trophy hunting say that the millions of dollars he report is crucial to support under-funded conservation efforts in places like Zimbabwe.

Tinashe Farawo, the spokesperson for Zimbabwe Parks Agency, defended the hunt and said that he had no information on the fact that Blondie was attracted by the park with bait, although there was nothing to do with it or illegal on this subject for anyone who knows how lions are driven out.

Ten years ago, the news of the murder of Cecil aroused global indignation.

After the murder of Cecil, dozens of airlines prevented passengers from bringing fauna trophies to flights. In addition, African Lions were listed in US Endangered species, which completely prohibits importation.

What people say

Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for Zimbabwe Parks Agency, told ABC: “Our rangers were present. All the documents were in order. The necklaces are for research, but they do not make the animal away from hunting.”

The World Animal Protection group said: “The murder of Blondie is a painful reminder that a decade after the death of Cecil, little has changed to protect these majestic animals against exploited for sport and profit.”