Lion hunted illegally allegedly

[BushPig1963]

Here is a photo of Blondie the lion. The photo was taken about 2 miles outside of the park in Hunt Unit 1. The collar is easily visible.
The story about the lion being lured out of the park is bogus. There was no bait or any other kind of meat anywhere near.
This photo was taken July 9 in daylight about 15 minutes before sunset. The lion walked across the trail right in front of the Land Cruiser and then stretched out lying on the ground 20 yards away.
It would have been a bit too easy to shoot him. I asked the PH the amount if the trophy fee. He said $35,000.

Just googled this. It says Zimbabwe Professional Hunters Association has refused to comment for 5 days. And Oxford Uni are same. Just curious as to why they would stay quiet?

 

[Jaegerstu]

SCI Alert
Lion Hunt in Zimbabwe Spurs Media Response
​

Safari Club International has been made aware of media coverage surrounding a lion hunt in Zimbabwe this past June. The hunt has drawn significant attention because the lion was being monitored for a research study.

First and foremost, the hunt was fair, ethical, and legal. As stated by Zimbabwe Parks Agency spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, “Our rangers were present. All paperwork was in order. Collars are for research purposes, but they don’t make the animal immune to hunting."

Manufactured outrage from anti-hunters over the use of bait, as reported by the media, has also been quickly rebutted. Regarding the use of bait, Mr. Farawo continued, “there is nothing unethical or illegal about that for anyone who knows how lions are hunted. This is how people hunt.”

Hunting is critical to Zimbabwe and other African nations in part because it generates essential revenue for conservation programs and rural communities. SCI has and will always advocate for and support scientifically successful lion management strategies that incorporate legal, regulated hunting.


This is a developing story that SCI will be closely monitoring.

 

[Gemsbok45]

I said it in 2015 so will say it again. If the guy that shot cecil, had just walked up to a microphone when some dumb reporter shoved it in his face (If he hadn't been a woose and went into hiding) and Just said was a legally conducted hunt. the cat was Blank number of miles outside the park in a hunting concession. Plus no 10+ year old lion has a pride, study your biology and animal behavior before you say something that stupid. So if you have no further uninformed questions mr reporter have a nice F-ing day. The whole mess would have blown over in a news cycle. unfortunately he had the balls of an anemic mouse, and we are still dealing with crap.

The anti's are just looking for the next thing to be offended about so they can solicit more money that going into their pockets vs to help the wild life.

From another AZ guy. They were threatening his and his family’s lives. There comes a point where defending yourself is counterproductive. “ why would you shoot such a beautiful animal in the first place” Move along we are debating amongst ourselves.

 

[Russ16]

Good related article.

Blondie the Lion Is Already Being Called the “Next Cecil.” Here’s Why That’s a Problem for Lion Conservation in Africa

A GPS-collared lion named Blondie was taken by a hunter in Zimbabwe three weeks ago, sparking global outrage. Here's what we know so far.

www.outdoorlife.com

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Research lion killed in 'unethical' alleged trophy hunt shooting - BBC News

Blondie, who was the subject of an Oxford University study, is thought to have been killed in Zimbabwe.

www.bbc.co.uk

Don’t know much at this stage. But I’d be weary of this one as it’s Oxford university again. Which was the same crowd involved with the Cecil the lion debacle.

Are you suggesting that English animal rights activists would lie in order to make hunters look bad? Oh, say it isn't so! That would be unethical!

They don't call these people the Looney Left for nothing.

 

[Excessexpress]

Animal rights activists are the same the world over, as are their “arguments”.

As mentioned, Oxford University aren’t a problem, Amy Dickman an Dan Challander in particular have spoken out in favour of the funding that hunting supplies to conservation, particularly habitat protection.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Why do they always have to wear the name of some kids playtoy, like sugar snookums or lamb chop.

Is there a minimum age for lion harvest in Zim, one of the countries I thought had some age like 8 or so, maybe Tanzania.

Will say, it’s 2025, everyone has to be outraged about something almost always. Hunters need to stand up for hunters and hunting, including supporting whatever insane number is generated for conservation through auction tags…but of course remain critical of unethical conduct. Think if we do that, whiners can be whiners, and if hunting lion, elephant, giraffe, or anything else, remain proud of carrying on that hunting heritage. I get that some folks are in a line of work or market where greenie dramatization is hard on their business or personal life, and if that’s the case, keep the hunt private to you and your tight circle.

Enjoy your hunt. Hunt ethically. Rinse, reload, repeat.

 

[neilw]

The hunt was perfectly legal.

 

[neilw]

Here is a balanced article on the matter.

A Lion Called ‘Blondie.’ – Africa Unauthorised

africaunauthorised.com

 

[Bejane]

the border areas of Hwange operate on different rules of hunting at night, in other words they are allowed to hunt at night. Other Hunting areas it's daylight hours.

Whether that's ethical or not is debatabe. What I do know is a Lion at night is a different animal, it's not scared of you and you can get close to it without it worrying too much. Daytime, a wild lion will generally move off when encountered.

You cannot see a colar on a Lion easily, and with the size of mane this Lion had it would probably be near on impossible unless you studied the lion for a long time, seen it during the day, and maybe saw it whilst if was moving, feeding or lying down. I dunno, ask the PH. These Hwange Lions have big ranges and often spill over into Hunting areas, thats a fact.

The other interesting thing, is these Gwaai farms, dont hold many Lions, they wonder through because game moves through them. The Gwaai farms were dispossed from their rightful owners and now in the hands of new owners, who do little to zero anti poaching, so game is basically movement of overflow from the park and transient at best.

We all know that Lion hunting is expensive and brings in alot of money, so the question is why should these farms get a quota when at best there is not a resident population to speak of? At best the Lion will have overlapping teritory in the hunting area. I guess it's the money.

I'm not against Lion hunting, but what I dont like is that the quota is very manipulated by people with influence and power for the money. It would be interesting to know what Lion populations are like in the Park, to know what are sustainable numbers allowed for hunting in the boundary farms.

There have been many animals shot with colars, mostly elephant. It is now generally frowned upon, because of the press it generates. Most PH's avoid colared animals because of this. If you do shoot a colared anmal, which you are legally allowed to do, then you wear the pressure it comes with. Operators will generally be told that an animal that is colared is in their hunting area, and this usually follows with "please dont shoot it" request. But sometimes you dont know if a colared animal is in your area and it happens anyway. People would definately been told about this Lion

 

[Lancaster]

Just googled this. It says Zimbabwe Professional Hunters Association has refused to comment for 5 days. And Oxford Uni are same. Just curious as to why they would stay quiet?

To make sure they have all of the facts, makes sense

 

[DieJager]

To make sure they have all of the facts, makes sense

Definitely also keep in mind this is Africa. Things go much slower down there. No rushing.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Animal rights activists have craniums full of horse manure. They’ll call any hunt illegal. Nothing new here.

 

[LivingTheDream]

The whole mess would have blown over in a news cycle.

I will be more cynical, the reason the news blew it up in the first place was a report can out detailing how planned parenthood was selling aborted baby parts. So they needed a story to suck all of the air out of the room. Just my opinion but no way it was a coincidence that it got so much air time.