Camilla Jessen
Blondie, a lion at the center of an Oxford University study, was killed by trophy hunters in Africa.
A lion studied by researchers at the University of Oxford has been shot and killed by trophy hunters near Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, the BBC reports.
The lion, known as Blondie, was five years old and the dominant male of his pride.
He was wearing a GPS collar used for scientific research aimed at supporting long-term conservation.
Shot Just Outside Protected Area
Blondie was killed in the week beginning June 29, just outside Hwange National Park.
Despite wearing a research collar fitted by an Oxford University team, the lion was targeted and killed by trophy hunters.
The collar had been sponsored by Africa Geographic, a safari company that contributes to conservation studies.
“No Lion Is Safe”
Simon Espley, CEO of Africa Geographic, expressed his anger at the incident.
“The fact that Blondie’s prominent collar did not prevent him from being offered to a hunting client confirms the harsh reality that no lion is safe from trophy hunting weapons,” Espley told Digi24.
He also emphasized that Blondie was a prime breeding male, contradicting claims that trophy hunters only target old, non-breeding lions.
Allegations of Luring and Ethical Concerns
Africa Geographic alleged that Blondie was “lured” out of his usual territory for the hunt, calling the act a “deeply unethical hunt.”
However, the company acknowledged that sources suggested the hunt was legally conducted with the proper permits.
Hunted at Night
Zimbabwe’s parks agency defended the hunt. Tinashe Farawo, a spokeswoman for the agency, told the Associated Press that hunting often occurs at night, making Blondie’s collar difficult to see.
Farawo stated there was no information confirming that the lion was lured with bait, adding, “There is nothing unethical or illegal about it for anyone who knows how lions are hunted — that’s how people hunt.”
He affirmed that park rangers were present and that all paperwork was in order.
Hunt Organizer Silent on Details
Mike Blignaut, co-owner of Victoria Falls Safari Services, believed to have helped organize the hunt, declined to comment directly.
In a message to The Times, Blignaut said he was acting under the instructions of the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association (ZPGA).
However, he insisted that the hunt was “legal and conducted ethically.”
Conservationists Outraged Over Blondie’s Death
Born Free, a UK-based wildlife conservation charity, condemned Blondie’s killing.
The group expressed being “shocked and saddened that yet another magnificent male lion has been brutally and mercilessly slaughtered by a trophy hunter.”
Not the First Trophy Hunted Lion
Born Free compared Blondie’s fate to that of Cecil the lion, who was killed under similar circumstances in 2015, igniting global calls for reform in trophy hunting laws.
Dr. Mark Jones, Born Free’s policy director, said: “Few lessons have been learned from Cecil’s death.”
He added, “This irresponsible activity has no place in the modern world, when wildlife needs all the help it can get to survive. Trophy hunting must be consigned to history.”
Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Silent
Blondie was part of a study conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at the University of Oxford.
The research team had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Blondie reportedly led a pride consisting of three females and ten cubs.
