'No lion is safe': Blondie the lion lured from protected research area and killed

The killing of a lion named Blondie by a trophy hunter while it was equipped with a research

collar is drawing criticism from wildlife advocates. It's very similar to an incident a decade ago in which Cecil the lion was killed by an American

hunter outside the same national park in Zimbabwe. That killing also led to backlash from animal

rights activists. Blondie was wearing a collar sponsored by Africa Geographic, a safari company

when he was killed in late June outside of Wangi National Park, according to the company

The collar was part of a study being conducted by Oxford University

Officials say the trophy hunter used bait to lure Blondie out of the protected area of the park

and into a place where hunting is permitted. In the wake of Blondie's death, a spokesperson for Zimbabwe's National Parks tells the Associated Press

the hunter legally killed the lion and hath the necessary legal documents to do so

Africa Geographic's CEO condemned the killing, arguing the collar should have been highly visible

and that Blondie was a breeding male lion in his prime which hunters largely pledge not to hunt Big game enthusiasts instead say they go after older lions that are no longer breeding

The CEO says it now appears no lion is safe. Some are also defending the hunter. A spokesperson for

the Zimbabwe Parks Agency says funds from hunts are key to supporting conservation efforts in

southern Africa. They also argue the collar may not have been visible as many hunts occur at night

and says the use of bait to lure game is common among hunters. African countries also differ in

regulations for lion hunting. Kenya outlaws the practice while Zimbabwe and South Africa allow it

Botswana recently lifted its ban on hunting. Meanwhile, officials have declined to identify

the hunter. Following the death of Cecil in 2015, the hunter who killed him, an American dentist saw

much outrage directed toward him. He also lured Cecil out of the very same national park in

Zimbabwe, and that lion was also part of an Oxford University study. For more on this story

download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey