Trophy Hunter Kills Oxford-Collared Lion in Zimbabwe

A lion named Blondie, part of an Oxford University research project and fitted with a GPS collar sponsored by Africa Geographic, was legally killed by a trophy hunter in Zimbabwe after being lured out of Hwange National Park into a hunting area with bait. Blondie's death has reignited controversy similar to the case of Cecil the lion, with conservationists and wildlife advocates condemning the killing, especially since Blondie was a breeding male and wore a visible collar, which critics argue should have excluded him from being hunted. Zimbabwe permits the hunting of up to 100 lions annually, with foreign tourists paying significant sums for trophies, and officials defend the practice as a vital source of funding for underfunded conservation efforts. Critics, including Africa Geographic's CEO Simon Espley, argue that Blondie's death undermines the ethical standards claimed by trophy hunters, who say they only target older, non-breeding lions. The debate remains divisive among conservationists, with some contending that well-managed hunting can support conservation, while others call for an outright ban on killing wildlife for sport. Zimbabwe's parks agency spokesperson stated that hunting often occurs at night, which might explain why Blondie's collar was not seen, and denied knowledge of the lion being baited out, asserting the hunt was legal and ethical.