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| Cecil the lion: Zimbabwean hunter says charges 'frivolous' as trial postponed | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The trial of a professional Zimbabwean hunter who led the expedition that killed Cecil the lion has been postponed until next month after an application from his lawyers. | The trial of a professional Zimbabwean hunter who led the expedition that killed Cecil the lion has been postponed until next month after an application from his lawyers. |
| Magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa ordered the trial in Hwange to reconvene on 28 September to hear the case against Theo Bronkhorst, who has been charged with failing to prevent an illegal hunt. If convicted he faces up to 15 years in prison. | |
| Bronkhorst, who runs a safari company, denies any wrongdoing over the hunt in early July when Walter Palmer, a dentist from Minnesota, paid $55,000 (£32,000) to shoot the lion with a bow and arrow. | Bronkhorst, who runs a safari company, denies any wrongdoing over the hunt in early July when Walter Palmer, a dentist from Minnesota, paid $55,000 (£32,000) to shoot the lion with a bow and arrow. |
| The hunt provoked worldwide outrage when it emerged that Cecil was a well-known attraction among visitors to the Hwange national park and was wearing a tracking collar as part of an Oxford University research project. | The hunt provoked worldwide outrage when it emerged that Cecil was a well-known attraction among visitors to the Hwange national park and was wearing a tracking collar as part of an Oxford University research project. |
| “I think it’s frivolous and I think it’s wrong,” Bronkhorst told reporters outside court when asked about the charges against him. | |
| Bronkhorst said hunting was integral to Zimbabwe and must continue, adding: “If we do not use wildlife sustainably, there will be no wildlife.” | |
| “I feel sorry for my client [Palmer]. He is a good man. He did nothing wrong,” he said. | |
| Palmer, an experienced trophy hunter, became the target of abuse over the killing, and went into hiding after demonstrations outside his dental practice. | Palmer, an experienced trophy hunter, became the target of abuse over the killing, and went into hiding after demonstrations outside his dental practice. |
| Related: Pennsylvania doctor accused of illegally hunting lion says he followed protocols | Related: Pennsylvania doctor accused of illegally hunting lion says he followed protocols |
| Palmer has apologised for killing Cecil, who was renowned for his distinctive black mane, and appeared to blame Bronkhorst for misleading him. | |
| But Bronkhorst said he was innocent of all charges and had obtained all the permits required to kill an elderly lion that was outside the national park boundaries. | But Bronkhorst said he was innocent of all charges and had obtained all the permits required to kill an elderly lion that was outside the national park boundaries. |
| “I have briefed the advocate and he said he is not available until 28 September,” Bronkhorst’s lawyer Givemore Muvhiringi told the court. | “I have briefed the advocate and he said he is not available until 28 September,” Bronkhorst’s lawyer Givemore Muvhiringi told the court. |
| Zimbabwe has called for the extradition of Palmer to face trial for poaching. In reaction to the Cecil furore, three US airlines have banned the transport of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino or buffalo remains killed by trophy hunters. | |
| Zimbabwe has also said a second American killed a lion in an illegal hunt in April. Dr Jan Seski, from Pennsylvania, said in a statement that the hunt was lawful and that he had the necessary permits required by Zimbabwean authorities. | Zimbabwe has also said a second American killed a lion in an illegal hunt in April. Dr Jan Seski, from Pennsylvania, said in a statement that the hunt was lawful and that he had the necessary permits required by Zimbabwean authorities. |