Zimbabwe reports second lion killing case

A second US hunter is believed to have killed a lion without a permit in Zimbabwe, using a bow and arrow several months ago.

Zimbabwe's National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) reported that the hunter was Jan Casmir Seski, a resident of Murrysville, Pennsylvania. The officials said Seski's illegal hunt took place in April in Hwange National Park.

"When hunters come into the country, they fill a document stating their personal details, the amount they have paid for the hunt, the number of animals to be hunted, the species to be hunted and the area and period where that hunt is supposed to take place," Caroline Washaya Moyo, spokeswoman for Zimparks told journalists.

"The American conducted his hunt in an area where lion hunting is outlawed," Moyo said. "The landowner who helped him with the hunt also did not have a quota for lion hunting." Headman Sibanda, the landowner, was arrested in connection with the case and was helping the police, officials said.

Cecil's brother Jericho alive

Zimbabwe's government is also seeking the extradition of dentist James Palmer, accusing him of not being authorized to kill the lion named Cecil a month ago. The animal was popular for his distinctive black mane and a favorite among park visitors.

Cecil was lured out of Hwange and wounded with an arrow fired from a bow before being shot with a gun, Harare's conservationists said. Palmer has defended himself, saying he relied on professional guides to ensure that his hunt was legal. His local guide, Theo Bronkhorst, is scheduled to appear in court on charges of "failing to prevent an illegal hunt."

The government has now suspended hunting of lions, elephants and leopards in the Hwange area. In a breath of relief for conservationists, Zimparks officials dismissed the rumor that Cecil's brother, Jericho, had been killed over the weekend.

"The lion known as Jericho is still alive and being monitored by Brent Stapelais of the Lion Research Project," officials said.

mg/mkg (AFP, AP)