Cecil’s brother Jericho shot dead as Zimbabwe suspends wildlife hunting

CECIL the lion’s brother, Jericho, has reportedly been shot dead by poachers in Zimbabwe while protecting his siblings’ lion cubs. But a researcher has contradicted the claim.

Has Cecil’s brother been shot dead?

CECIL the lion’s brother, Jericho, has been shot dead by poachers in Zimbabwe while protecting his siblings’ lion cubs. But a researcher has contradicted the claim.

Jericho had devotedly stepped in to care for the orphaned lion cubs after Cecil was shot dead by US dentist Walter Palmer last month. Fears are now held for the unprotected lion cubs.

“It is with great sadness and regret that we report that Jericho was shot dead at 4pm this afternoon,” Johnny Rodrigues, Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said in a statement. “We are absolutely heartbroken. We have no further details but will advise as soon as we know more.”

BREAKING NEWS - JERICHO HAS BEEN SHOT TODAY AT 4pm - It is with huge disgust and sadness that we have just been...

Posted by ZCTF - Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force on Saturday, 1 August 2015

However, Reuters reports a field researcher for the Hwange Lion Research Project has contacted the media organisation to contradict the reports: “He looks alive and well to me as far as I can tell,” said Brent Stapelkamp, who is monitoring Jericho via a GPS collar.

Earlier yesterday Zimbabwean authorities suspended the hunting of lions, leopards and elephants in an area favoured by hunters after the killing of Cecil.

The National Parks and Wildlife Authority said on Saturday that bow and arrow hunts have also been suspended unless they are approved by the authority’s director.

History of hunting ... Walter Palmer with a leopard he killed in Zimbabwe. Photo: Trophy Hunt America

Dentist ... Walter Palmer has had to close his practice after a backlash over his killing of a popular lion. Picture: Supplied

The authority says it is also investigating the killing of another lion in April that may have been illegal.

It says it only received the information this week.

Proud hunter ... Walter Palmer poses with another lion that he killed. Picture: Supplied

The announcement follows an international outcry stemming from an American hunter’s killing of a lion named Cecil that was allegedly was lured out of a national park.

Zimbabwean authorities say the hunt was illegal and are seeking the extradition of Minnesota dentist Walter James Palmer.