When the hunter becomes the hunted: the lion that was part of research

• The killing of the lion Blondie has sparked international outrage.
• Zimbabwe allows hunting for 100 lions annually.
• The hunting of wild animals is a controversial issue among conservationists.

The killing of the lion, which was part of research in Zimbabwe, has raised a new wave of protests among conservation groups. This incident recalls the well-known case of the lion named Cecil, who was killed by an American tourist in 2015, which triggered international outcry.

The last lion, known as Blondie, was part of research at Oxford University and wore a special collar sponsored by Africa Geographic. Blondie was killed in the Hwange National Park, where he was lured from a protected area using bait.

A representative of Zimbabwe's National Parks stated that the hunting was legal, and the hunter had all necessary documents. In Ukraine, hunting for 100 lions is permitted annually. Hunters, usually foreigners, pay tens of thousands of dollars for the opportunity to kill a lion and take its head or skin as a trophy.

Simon Espley, the CEO of Africa Geographic, noted that the killing of Blondie undermines ethical standards that conservationists promote, as the lion wore a visible collar and was in a significant stage of life. Conservationists assert that they aim to hunt only old, not breeding lions.

The hunting of lions raises serious concerns among conservationists. Some believe that if this is done under control, it can provide income that can be directed towards nature conservation. Others argue against the hunting of wild animals for sport.

In Zimbabwe, as in Southern Africa, hunting is allowed, just as in Kenya where commercial hunting is banned. The Zimbabwean government states that the country earns about 20 million dollars annually from trophy hunting, with the average expenditure of hunters being 100 thousand dollars per hunt.

Zimbabwe is home to approximately 1500 wild lions, of which nearly three hundred reside in Hwange National Park. The population of wild lions in Africa is estimated at nearly 20 thousand, but their numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss and conflicts with humans. Lions, one of the most recognizable species of Africa, are considered vulnerable according to the data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Tags: Ecology