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Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has dismissed as untrue reports by the Western media that one of Cecil the lion’s cubs had reportedly been killed by a rival male who was trying to mate with its mother. The Telegraph and Daily Mail on Sunday, The Independent, The Express and the Daily News of the United Kingdom and Times of India were among the publications that reported that one of the cubs was killed by a male lion.
The reports, if true, would trigger fears on the future of the cubs as some male lions were said to have invaded the late Cecil’s territory and displaced his pride which is said to be under the protection of Cecil’s sibling, Jericho.
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson, Caroline Washaya Moyo, said the reports could not be depended on as the department had not released any statement to that effect.
“We haven’t said anything like that and we don’t know where those reports are coming from,” she said without giving details whether any investigations would be done.
A source from Parks and Wildlife said there was no truth in the reports of the cub’s death as all of Cecil’s seven cubs had been spotted recently.
Last weekend, the same media had misinformed the world that Jericho, Cecil’s brother who is reportedly taking care of the cubs, had been shot dead.
It turned out another American had killed a different lion away from where Jericho and the cubs were.
The much-loved rare black-manned Cecil, who tourists flocked to view in the Hwange National Park, was killed by American dentist, Walter Palmer last month, sparking outrage around the world.
The collared 13-year-old Cecil was lured out of his sanctuary using the carcass of another animal and shot with a bow and arrow by Palmer who later finished him off with a rifle 40 hours later.
Palmer reportedly paid $50, 000 to shoot the big cat which had a GPS tracker.
There were fears the cubs could be in danger without a pride leader to protect them as the next lion in the hierarchy might kill them in his effort to take over their mother.
Parks and Wildlife last week assured the world the cubs were safe in the custody of Jericho, Cecil’s brother.
Cecil reportedly left behind seven cubs and three lionesses in the Hwange National Park.
The big cat was being followed by Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Unit, which had been studying Cecil before he was shot dead.
According to the reports by foreign media, the pride had reportedly fled from its den and the cubs are said to be too young to trek over much distance.
The international media could, however, not say what had happened to Jericho.
Palmer, 55, reportedly temporarily went into hiding from his dental office in Bloomington, Minnesota, in the USA, since reports of the shooting broke out last month. Animal conservationists in his country were baying for his blood.
Zimbabwe has requested the extradition of Palmer, who claims he believed the hunt that cost Cecil’s life was legal.
Professional hunter, Theodro Bronkhorst, who assisted Palmer in his kill, has appeared in court over the killing and has been charged with failing to prevent an illegal hunt.
Online Reporter