Jericho the lion, brother of murdered lion Cecil, has been killed today in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.
According to CNN, the lion was shot at 4pm by a hunter acting illegally in the area.
Speaking to local news, Johnny Rodrigues, head of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force said:
“It is with great sadness and regret that we report that Jericho was shot dead at 4pm this afternoon.
“We have no further details but will advise as soon as we know more.”
The news comes in the same week the internet exploded with a social media storm after an American dentist paid $50,000 to hunt, behead and skin African lion Cecil.
Palmer posing with a previous kill
Following reports that Zimbabwe authorities were searching for Dr. Walter Palmer, the 55-year-old has released a statement. He said:
“In early July, I was in Zimbabwe on a bow hunting trip for big game. I hired several professional guides and they secured all proper permits. To my knowledge, everything about this trip was legal and properly handled and conducted. I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt. I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt. I have not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or in the U.S. about this situation, but will assist them in any inquiries they may have. Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion.”
Two Zimbabwean men, a professional hunter and a farm owner, are already facing criminal poaching charges in connection with Cecil’s death. The group did not have a hunting permit.
