Cecil's pride:
- Theo Bronkhorst faces up to 15 years in Zimbabwe jail for guiding Palmer
- Dentist killed Cecil, who was collared and monitored, with a bow and arrow
- Sparked international outcry and put spotlight on 'trophy hunting' industry
- Trail begins as researcher reveals cubs and brother Jericho are doing well
New
pictures of Cecil the Lion's adorable cubs looking happy and 'fat as
ticks' after feasting on a zebra have emerged - as the hunter which led
the expedition to kill their father goes on trial.
Cecil's
six cubs were spotted sitting in the dappled sunlight with the pride in
Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, while their uncle Jericho, Cecil's
brother, was seen nearby. In
one heartening image, two of Cecil’s cubs appear to be ignoring each
other as they sit side by side, with their eyes tightly shut.
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Playful: There were fears Cecil's cubs
may meet a grizzly fate after his death, but these adorable pictures,
taken last week, show they are thriving under the protection of their
uncle Jericho
Safety: Cecil's cubs were said to look
happy and 'fat as ticks' after feasting on a zebra as Cecil's brother
Jericho, looked on. All of Cecil's six cubs are female, meaning they are
safer than if they were male cubs
Protected: Cecil the lion (bottom) was
shot with a crossbow in July by U.S dentist Walter Palmer after he was
allegedly lured out of a game reserve, where he was being monitored in
an Oxford University study
The
pictures were taken by Brent Stapelkamp, who was the lead researcher in
charge of monitoring Cecil before his death at the hands of American
dentist Walter Palmer in July.
Cecil,
who was collared and monitored as part of the Oxford University
research project, suffered a long and agonising end after Palmer, armed
with a bow and arrow, failed to kill him outright.
‘Three
lionesses and all six cubs looking fat as ticks after eating a zebra,’
Mr Stapelkamp reported after spending two hours observing the group in
the park.
The shots prove the cubs are thriving despite fears for their survival as it is common for the cat taking over the pride to kill his predecessor's young, This is often the case when males are killed or forced to flee in clashes over a lioness or hunting areas.
However, the cubs - who are aged between two-and-a-half and three - are all female, which may afford them some more protection.
'The fact that all the cubs were female also offers more hope for their future, Mr Stapelkamp said.
‘Yesterday was the first time I have really spent long enough with them and seen them clearly enough to sex them all.
'They all looked like females to me and so when they are reproductive they will be safe,’ he added.
Accused: The
trial of professional hunter Theo Bronkhorst, pictured at court, began
today. He is accused of leading American dentist Walter Palmer on an
illegal hunt, which ended in the death of Cecil the Lion
Killer: U.S dentist Walter Palmer went
into hiding from his practice in Minnesota after news of the hunt which
killed Cecil, who was protected, sparked global outrage
Mr Stapelkamp was also able to offer a positive update on Jericho, Cecil’s brother, who has been sighted with the pride, despite reports that he had abandoned them following the Cecil’s death.
A
second pride was also under the control over the brothers, who had
successfully fought off rivals to dominate hunting areas in the park and
have the pick of lionesses.
‘I
tracked and saw Jericho this morning....looks great,’ Mr Stapelkamp
wrote alongside a picture of the large male, who had been feasting on a
buffalo.
The
pictures emerged as Theo Bronkhorst, the hunter accused of helping
Palmer shoot Cecil, appeared in court today in Zimbabwe for the first
day of his trial.
He faces up to 15 years in a fetid Zimbabwean jail for guiding Palmer on the ill-fated hunt.
Palmer
was forced into hiding as the news of his death caused global outrage
and sparked protests at his dental practice in Minnesota.
When
he finally broke cover some weeks later and returned to work he
expressed regret that he had taken the life of Africa’s most feted big
cats, for which he paid £32,000.
Although
Zimbabwe’s wildlife authorities issued a threat to extradite Mr Palmer
and try him for illegal hunting, no action has been taken.
However,
52-year-old Bronkhorst has remained defiant in the wake of the killing,
insisting that hunting is essential to preserving Africa’s wildlife.
His
lawyer today called for the case to be dismissed, arguing that ‘the
charge is not clear and the circumstances do not constitute a chargeable
offence’.
Hunter:
Bronkhorst has defiantly defended hunting, saying it is essential to
preserving Africa’s wildlife. He told journalists in August the backlash
following the killing of Cecil had been 'traumatic'
Court appearance: Bronkhorst legal
team is expected to try and get the charges against him, relating to
failing to prevent an illegal hunt, thrown out of court today
Regional
magistrate Dambudzo Malunga adjourned the case until 15 October when
she said she would rule on whether the case against Bronkhorst could
proceed or not.
Dressed
in traditional khakis, the experienced hunter refused to speak to
reporters, but has insisted in previous interviews that he had obtained
all permits required to kill a lion outside the boundaries of the Hwange
park.
The owner of the land on which Cecil was killed is among five state witnesses listed to give evidence against Bronkhorst.
However, even if the hunter escapes conviction or jail in relation to Cecil’s death, he has another legal battle ahead.
Bronkhurst,
whose operation is called Bushmen Safaris, last week appeared in court
for illegally breeding and attempting to smuggle 42 sable antelopes,
apparently for hunting. The offences were committed while he was on £600
($915) bail on the illegal hunting charges.
He
was remanded in custody after being charged – news that was met with
glee by anti-hunting activists who claim the increased lawlessness in
Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe has allowed controversial hunting practices to
thrive.
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