Zimparks issue statement on professional hunter who killed lion

The Zimparks and Wildlife Management Authority and Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe has issued a statement indicating that Theo Bronchorst a professional hunter with Bushman Safaris is facing criminal charges in Victoria Falls for allegedly killing a collared lion on Antoninette farm in Gwayi conservancy Hwange district on July 1, 2015.

"Theo Bronchorst, a professional hunter with Bushman Safaris is facing criminal charges (VIC FALLS Police CR 27/07/2015) for allegedly killing a collared lion on Antoinette farm in Gwayi Conservancy, Hwange district on 1 July 2015," reads the statement. "The lion named ‘Cecil' was well known and regularly sighted by tourists in the Main camp area of Hwange National Park."

The statement indicated that it is alleged that the hunter connived with the Antoinette land owner, Mr. Honest Trymore Ndlovu to kill the lion.

"Ongoing investigations to date, suggest that the killing of the lion was illegal since the land owner was not allocated a lion on his hunting quota for 2015. Therefore, all persons implicated in this case are due to appear in court facing poaching charges," reads the statement.

"Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management as the Regulatory Authority and custodian of all wild animals in Zimbabwe issues hunting permits and hunting quota for all hunting areas in Zimbabwe so that only animals on quota are to be hunted. In this case, both the professional hunter and land owner had no permit or quota to justify the offtake of the lion and therefore are liable for the illegal hunt.

Both professional hunter Theo Bronkhorst's licence number 553 who was involved in the hunt and the owner of Antoinette farm, Mr. Honest Trymore Ndlovu are being jointly charged for illegally hunting the lion."

The organisation said the two are due to appear in court on Wednesday, 29 July 2015.

"Efforts are being made to interview the other professional hunter, Zane Bronkhorst, licence number 558, who was also involved in the illegal hunt.

The Professional Hunter Theo Bronkhosrt's Licence has been suspended with immediate effect," reads the statement. "The lion trophy has also been confiscated. The relevant stakeholders have been informed and are being updated about this matter."