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Zimbabwe's short-lived big game hunting ban ends

Xinhua, August 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Zimbabwe has lifted a ban on big game hunting which lasted for barely ten days after the killing of Cecil the lion by an American dentist last month.

The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority imposed the ban on Aug. 1 in areas surrounding Hwange National Park in the wake of international outcry over the illegal killing of the iconic Cecil who was a major tourist attraction.

But in a statement this week, the parks authority said the ban had been lifted with "immediate effect" in all areas except the farm land where Cecil was killed and several others subject to illegal game hunting.

"The suspension of wildlife hunting in all other areas outside the parks estate has been lifted with immediate effect," the parks authority said.

Areas that remain on the ban are Antoinette and Antoinette Farm where Cecil was killed, Railway Farm 31, Umguza and Kusile Rural District Councils.

The parks authority said the ban on the areas will be reviewed after court processes which have commenced against two local Zimbabweans who are accused of helping the American dentist, Walter Palmer, to kill the lion.

In the wake of the lifting of the ban, the parks authority said it would enforce tight measures on approved hunts with all lion, leopard and elephant hunts to be accompanied by parks staff.

It also announced a life ban on individuals involved in illegal hunting activities and banned bow hunting for big game unless authorized by the parks authority.

Cecil's death sparked global online outrage after it emerged that the black-manned and collared lion was brutally killed after being lured out of a park where he was shot with a bow and arrow and then finished with a gun two days later.

Zimbabwe has since asked the United States to extradite Palmer to Zimbabwe to face justice.

On Monday, President Robert Mugabe criticized the killing of Cecil and called on Zimbabweans to jealously guard their wildlife resources.

Trophy hunting generates significant revenue for Zimbabwe's economy, raking in 40 million U.S. dollars in 2014 despite ivory ban by its major market the United Sates. Endit