The brother of Cecil the lion killed in Hwange by an American hunter last month is not dead, a researcher monitoring the pride told Reuters, contradicting media reports that Jericho had been killed.
“He looks alive and well to me as far as I can tell,” said Brent Stapelkamp, field researcher for the Hwange Lion Research Project which is monitoring the lion with a GPS tag.
A group called the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force posted on its Facebook page that Jericho had been killed at 4pm on Saturday, a report picked up by some Western news media that was rapidly spread on Twitter.
That generated a furious reaction on the social networking site where animal lovers had already been expressing their fury at the killing on July 1 of Cecil, a rare black-maned lion that was a familiar sight at Hwange National Park.
Stapelkamp said readings from Jericho’s GPS tag indicated he was moving around as usual and appeared to be with a female.
“When I heard that report, I had a look on the computer and his movements look regular. He sent a GPS point from his collar from 8:06pm (02:06pm EDT). Everything looks fine,” Stapelkamp told Reuters.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) also issued a statement confirming that Jericho was alive.
“The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority would like to inform the media and Press that the lion known as Jericho is still alive and being monitored by Brent Stapelkamp of the Lion Research Project,” Zimparks said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“It is also important to note that Jericho is a ‘coalition’ partner to Cecil and not a blood related sibling.”
On Saturday, Zimparks imposed an indefinite ban on big game hunting outside the national park from which Cecil was lured before being killed on July 1.
Meanwhile, the Safari Club International (SCI) has blacklisted hunters accused of killing Cecil.
In a statement on Saturday, the SCI said they had suspended American hunter Walter James Palmer and Zimbabwean hunter Theo Bronkhorst’s membership to expedite investigations into the lion’s death.
“Safari Club International condemns unlawful and unethical hunting practices,” the statement read.
“SCI supports only legal hunting practices and those who comply with all applicable hunting rules and regulations, and SCI believes that those who intentionally take wildlife illegally should be prosecuted and punished to the maximum extent allowed by law.”
SCI has about 47 000 members worldwide.
Its mission includes the conservation of wildlife, protection of the hunter’s rights, and education of the public concerning hunting and its use as a conservation and wildlife management tool.
Bronkhorst has since been charged and now awaits commencement of his trial this month on charges of failing to prevent an illegal hunt, but Palmer has not yet been subpoenaed to come to Zimbabwe to face poaching charges.
The dentist-turned-hunter has apologised for the lion’s killing but maintained that it was a legal hunt.
Environment minister Oppah Muchinguri last week called for Palmer’s extradition to face trial in Zimbabwe. — REUTERS/STAFF REPORTER
