A Zimbabwean court has dismissed all charges against a local hunting guide,Theo Bronkhorst, for failing to prevent a unlawful hunt killing of Cecil, the well-13 year old rare, black-mane African lion. Cecil was killed by Walter Palmer, a Minneapolis, Minnesota dentist, in July 2015.
The charges against Bronkhorst were dismissed by the High court in Bulawayo because his lawyers argued it could not have been an offense under the country’s wildlife laws if Palmer had a permit to hunt.
“The court granted us that prayer yesterday – that the charges be quashed. So I cannot imagine the state coming back again charging him with the same charge,” said Lovemore Muvhiringi, a lawyer for Bronkhorst.
Palmer shot Cecil with a bow and arrow outside of the Hwange National Park in Western Zimbabwe. Bronkhorst was accused of laying bait to lure Cecil outside of the Park. Cecil was tracked and shot with a rifle 11 hours later by Palmer’s hunting party.
No charges were ever brought against Palmer because it was found he didn’t break any laws and federal authorities ruled against charging him in the U.S. Palmer asserts he didn’t know the lion he killed was the famed-cat, Cecil.
After Cecil’s death, a national and international outcry sparked protests and death threats against Palmer. His wife and daughter were also threatened online. Palmer returned to his dental practice after six weeks of hiding.
Cecil’s killing put a spotlight on the world of trophy hunting with countries and airlines taking a stand against the “sport.”
Palmer continues to work at his dental practice.
I wish people would get over the obsession with Cecil the lion. Yes, he was killed but it was all done legally. Time to move on.
People from the area eat the meat there which they so need because they are poor. The people don’t care about Cecil like the world does. Plus the Lions can be a threat to their lives.
The only negative thing I can say is that they knew who the lion was because of his rare black mane. That made him stand out and the local hunter would’ve known. That’s all I’ll say.
So wrong!
Plus Cecil was protected. Why wouldn’t his death be a criminal offense? I’m confused and upset!