We must act fast to save animals like poor Blondie

A MUCH-LOVED lion known as “Blondie” has been shot dead by a trophy hunter in a harrowing echo of the killing of Cecil the lion almost 10 years ago.

- NADA FARHOUD

Blondie, a dominant pride male who was five and a father to multiple cubs, was reportedly lured and baited out of Gwayi Conservancy, near Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

Just like Cecil, Blondie was being tracked by Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit as part of a long-term study into lion conservation.

His death is yet another blow to already fragile lion populations across Africa, say conservationists.

Blondie’s pride, which includes two litters of cubs - one less than two months old - is now at risk of collapse.

Experts warn that the removal of a pride male often leads to infanticide as rival males move in.

Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, condemned the killing, saying: “It’s sickening. Nearly 10 years to the day since Cecil was cruelly killed, and it’s as if nothing has changed.