My life is in ruins, says hunter accused over killing of Cecil the lion

A hunter accused of failing to stop the killing of Cecil the lion said his family and business had been destroyed amid the outcry which followed the lion’s death. Theo Bronkhorst choked back tears as he said the charges against him should be dropped after the Zimbabwean government said it would not pursue the American dentist Walter Palmer who killed the rare black-maned beast. “It’s destroyed us, it has destroyed the family, our business,” Bronkhorst said outside Hwange magistrates court. Asked whether he believed he was innocent, he added: “Absolutely. I believe our permits were in order … and I still think we are gonna be vindicated.”

There are many collared lions shot every year, and as far as I’m aware there’s five that were shot this year alone

Theo Bronkhorst

The death of Cecil, which had been tagged for scientific research, sent shockwaves around the world. Bronkhorst is accused of failing to stop an illegal hunt when he helped Palmer kill the lion, a symbol of animal conservation in Zimbabwe. But his lawyers argue it is contradictory for the authorities to pursue him while refusing to charge Palmer. Bronkhorst is unable to work as a professional hunter after the national parks agency cancelled his licence. His case was postponed by the court until October 20 while magistrates consider legal submissions.

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