‘Beloved’ Lion Lured Out Of Protected Reserve And Killed By Trophy Hunter In $46k Hunt That Sparked Global Fury

The lion’s killing has understandably sparked outrage across the globe

A lion that was part of an active conservation study has reportedly been shot and killed by trophy hunters, sparking anger among conservationists and the public.

The lion, known as Blondie, was just five years old and had recently been fitted with a GPS collar. The collar had been placed by the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) only three months before his death.

Sponsored by Africa Geographic, the collar was meant to help track the lion’s movements in the wild, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and contribute to long-term conservation efforts for lions living in open ecosystems.

Blondie was living in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, a protected area where hunting is strictly prohibited by law.

However, despite those protections, it is believed that Blondie was deliberately lured outside the park’s safe boundaries, where he could be legally targeted by hunters. This happened even though he wore a highly visible research collar and hadn’t yet reached the legally established hunting age of six years. Many people have expressed disbelief and frustration, especially those who feel trophy hunting should be banned entirely.

The hunters behind the kill have claimed they followed all the rules. They insist the hunt was conducted in an ‘ethical’ manner and that they had secured the necessary permits. The individual who killed Blondie reportedly paid $46,000 for the trophy hunt.

A lion seen resting at Hwange National Park, ZimbabweChristopher Scott/Getty Stock Image

A deeply upsetting photo that many believe shows Blondie’s lifeless body surfaced on social media. The image includes three men kneeling beside the dead lion. One of the men is Black, while the other two are white and dressed in camouflage. The picture was posted to Facebook and later removed, according to reports by The Sun.

Simon Espley, who leads Africa Geographic, responded to Blondie’s tragic death with strong words.

“As the sponsor of Blondie’s research collar, we are dismayed and angered by this development.” he stated.

A now-deleted photo on Facebook showed the hunters kneeling by Blondie’s bodyFacebook

“That Blondie’s prominent collar did not prevent him from being offered to a hunting client, confirms the stark reality that no lion is safe from trophy hunting guns. He was a breeding male in his prime, making a mockery of the ethics that (Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association) regularly espouses and the repeated claims that trophy hunters only target old, non-breeding males.”

The Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association (ZPGA) claims on its official site that it promotes ‘honourable and sportsman like conduct generally in practice of the profession and sport hunting’ — though critics have questioned whether that’s truly possible in these kinds of hunts.

The ZPGA also says it is committed to ‘maintaining the highest standard of professionalism in safari hunting and guiding’.

But Blondie’s death could have heartbreaking consequences for the lion pride he led. The group includes three lionesses and ten cubs. With Blondie gone, those young cubs could now be at risk of being killed by other male lions competing for dominance.

Hwange National Park hosts over 100 mammal and 400 bird speciesTuul & Bruno Morandi/Getty Stock Image

It’s believed that the last confirmed sighting of Blondie was in June 2025. Since then, it’s thought that he was slowly coaxed out of the protected zone over several weeks and eventually led into an area where hunting is permitted.

Following the news of his death, many have taken to social media and other platforms to share their heartbreak and outrage.

Roar Wildlife News shared a moving message via The Sun: “Another beloved lion, another shattered pride, another trophy just for someone’s wall.”

“Blondie was a striking lion and one of Hwange’s most recognizable figures and was gunned down in the prime of his life after being lured out from a safe prohibited hunting area.”

“This is not the first time Hwange has been robbed of one of its stars. The world still remembers Cecil, baited and killed, under eerily similar circumstances a decade ago.”

Mike Blignaut, who co-owns Victoria Falls Safari Services, has claimed the hunt was lawful and followed ethical practices. The Professional Hunter involved in the shooting also supported that position.

Meanwhile, outraged animal lovers and conservation supporters have voiced their feelings online, with one person angrily labeling the individuals responsible as ‘utter scumbags.’