A well-known lion named Blondie was shot and killed by a trophy hunter after being lured out of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Blondie, just five years old, wore a GPS collar for conservation research and was below the legal hunting age of six.
Despite his protected status, hunters claim the $46,000 kill was legal and ethical. A now-deleted photo showing three men posing next to Blondie’s body has fueled widespread anger. “No lion is safe from trophy hunting guns,” said Simon Espley of Africa Geographic, who sponsored Blondie’s collar.
Blondie’s death is expected to devastate his pride, including three females and 10 cubs. Without him, rival males may kill the young to take over. “Another beloved lion, another shattered pride,” said Roar Wildlife News.
This incident echoes the 2015 killing of Cecil the Lion, sparking calls once again to ban trophy hunting. Many have taken to social media to mourn Blondie and condemn the killing as cruel and unnecessary.
