ZIMBABWE-WILDLIFE/CECIL-FILE Zimbabwean hunter linked to killing of Cecil the lion due in court

Record ID: 135188

  • Title: ZIMBABWE-WILDLIFE/CECIL-FILE Zimbabwean hunter linked to killing of Cecil the lion due in court
  • Date: 14th October 2015
  • Summary: HWANGE, ZIMBABWE (AUGUST 04, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF HWANGE MAGISTRATE COURT SIGN READING "HWANGE MAGISTRATE COURTS" ZIMBABWE NATIONAL FLAG MEDIA OUTSIDE THE COURT VARIOUS OF THEO BRONKHORST WALKING TO COURT WITH HIS LAWYER, GIVEMORE MUVIRINGI (SOUNDBITE) (English) ZIMBABWEAN HUNTER, THEO BRONKHORST, SAYING: "I've got a good legal team and I hope so." REPORTER ASKING:
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Zimbabwe
  • Country: Zimbabwe
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7YBXJUFYOTRRQDBK30YU0FP6O
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Professional hunter Theo Bronkhorst is to appear in court in Hwange, Zimbabwe on Thursday (October 14) where a magistrate will rule on a request by his lawyers that charges relating to the death of Cecil the lion be quashed.
    Bronkhorst was charged with "failing to supervise, control and take reasonable steps to prevent an unlawful hunt."
    If found guilty, Bronkhorst could be fined $20,000 and possibly jailed for up to 10 years. He pleaded not guilty to the charge at the initial hearing in July.
    American Walter James Palmer, a Minnesota dentist who paid $50,000 to kill the lion, has left Zimbabwe. He says he did kill the animal but believed the hunt was legal and that the necessary permits had been issued.
    It was announced on Monday (October 12) that Palmer will not face any charges.
    Cecil was fitted with a GPS collar for a research project by scientists from Oxford University and was one of the oldest and most famous lions in Zimbabwe.
    The British university's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit said it had been tracking Cecil since 2008.
    The unit also said Cecil's death is likely to trigger a power struggle in the pride, resulting in the death of other male lions as well as Cecil's offspring.
    The incident has triggered fierce debate over the commercial 'trophy' hunting of African big game.
    Like many countries, Zimbabwe issues annual permits that allow foreign hunters to kill wildlife such as elephant, buffalo and lion legally, arguing that the funds raised allow the government to fund conservation efforts.
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