Another US hunter suspected of illegal Zimbabwe lion kill

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Another US hunter is suspected of killing a lion without a permit in Zimbabwe, the country’s parks authority said Sunday, August 2, days after the killing of Cecil the lion by an American dentist caused global outrage. 

A government statement said a crackdown since Cecil’s killing had led to the arrest of safari organizer Headman Sibanda on allegations of breaching hunting regulations. 

It said Sibanda’s client was an American called Jan Casmir Sieski who travelled to Zimbabwe in April.

“Headman Sibanda’s case is in connection with a lion that was killed by the other American (Sieski) in April,” parks authority spokeswoman Caroline Washaya-Moyo said. 

Prince Mupazviriwo, an environment ministry official, said Sibanda had no permit for the hunt. 

On Saturday, August 1, the parks authority announced the suspension of hunting of lions, leopards and elephants in areas around Hwange National Park, the wildlife reserve where Cecil lived.  

The government said it had set up a wildlife conservation and monitoring fund and is appealing for donations for operations to monitor activities in the hunting industry.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) earlier Sunday dismissed rumors that a brother of Cecil, known as Jericho, had been slain at the weekend.

“The lion known as Jericho is still alive and being monitored by Brent Stapelias of the Lion Research Project,” Zimparks said in a statement.

The killing of Cecil, a favorite with tourists who was renowned for his distinctive black mane, caused an international furor.

Palmer shot the lion with a bow and arrow outside Hwange park in early July. 

After shooting the feline, Palmer and his local guide Theo Bronkhorst tracked the injured beast for 40 hours before finishing him off with a gun. 

Bronkhorst is due to appear in court on August 5 on a charge of “failing to prevent an illegal hunt.”

Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri has appealed for the United States to extradite Palmer so he can be brought to justice. – Rappler.com