Trophy hunter kills collared lion involved in Oxford research
A trophy hunter has caused outrage after killing a collared lion involved in a research project in Zimbabwe. The lion, Blondie, was part of an Oxford University study, wearing a research collar, and sponsored by safari company, Africa Geographic. The company said the lion was killed in June near the nation’s flagship Hwange National Park after being lured out of a protected area with bait and into a hunting zone.
The killing sparked a rallying cry for opponents of hunting. A spokesperson for Zimbabwe’s National Parks told The Associated Press that the hunt was legal and the trophy hunter did have the necessary permits.
Zimbabwe allows up to 100 lions to be hunted every year. Trophy hunters, usually foreign tourists, pay tens of thousands of dollars to kill an animal and take its head or skin as a trophy.
Simon Espley, Africa Geographic CEO, said that the killing of Blondie makes “a mockery of the ethics” that trophy hunters claim to uphold. This is because the lion was wearing a clearly visible research collar and was a breeding male in his prime. Hunters claim to only go after ageing and non-breeding animals.
“That Blondie’s prominent collar did not prevent him from being offered to a hunting client confirms the stark reality that no lion is safe from trophy hunting guns,” Espley said.
Hunting is a controversial topic, even for conservationists. Some say that when well-managed, it can raise money that goes back into conservation. Others want hunting for sport to be outlawed.
Hunting lions is fiercely divisive, even among conservationists. Some say if it is well managed it raises money that can be put back into conservation. Others want killing wildlife for sport to be banned outright.
A number of African countries, including Kenya have bans on commercial hunting, while others, including Zimbabwe and South Africa allow it. Botswana recently repealed its ban.
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