Zimbabwe confirms lion named Jericho has not been shot

Jericho the lion is alive and well and roaming his park habitat in Zimbabwe, the Oxford University researcher tracking the lion confirmed on Sunday.

The brother of Cecil the lion, whose death sparked widespread outrage this week, was killed by a hunter Saturday afternoon in Zimbabwe, a local conservation group said.

According to ABC News on Saturday, yet another lion killing followed suit not so long after Cecil was shot by dentist Walter Palmer in July.

The wildlife authority said it was necessary to tighten hunting regulations outside the park “following the killing of the iconic lion Cecil“. Bow and arrow hunts were also suspended and can only be approved by the head of the director of the wildlife authority. He said the park put a ban on hunting lions, leopards and elephants shortly before Jericho was shot.

An Oxford researcher also told NPR that Jericho and Cecil are not brothers, despite reports to the contrary: “We believe this report is incorrect and will confirm with a sighting of the Jericho tomorrow (it is nightime here)”. Together they oversaw two prides, one with three lionesses and seven cubs and another with three lionesses. CNN said the lion was gunned down by a hunter operating illegally. “I have not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or in the U.S. about this situation, but will assist them in any inquiries they may have”, Palmer said at the time. Of the 600 lions killed every year by tourists – out of a total population of 20,000 – very few of them have names.

Jericho was considered to be caring for and defending Cecil’s cubs, but the survivability of those cubs seemed imperiled if Jericho had indeed been killed.

Immediately following the CNN report, Reuters Africa issued a statement saying Jericho may be alright.

Another lion has been killed in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force announced on its Facebook page Saturday.

Dr. Walter J. Palmer, an American hunter and dentist known for his interest in big game, allegedly paid around $54,000 to hunt the lion, the Telegraph reported.

Muchinguri said Palmer violated the country’s Parks and Wildlife Act, which controls the use of bow and arrow hunting.

The United States has yet to respond to Zimbabwe’s request for Palmer to be extradited to face charges over the financing of the hunt.

It said the hunt had been arranged by a Zimbabwean man who owned a safari company.