Zimbabwean hunter Theo Bronkhorst will appear in court on 28 September charged with failing to prevent an American from unlawfully killing Cecil, the southern African countrys best-known lion, in a case that has triggered widespread revulsion at trophy hunting.
Walter Palmer, a Minnesota dentist who paid $50,000 (£32,938) to kill the lion, left Zimbabwe saying he did kill the animal but believed the hunt was legal. Local hunter Bronkhorst is charged with failing to supervise, control and take reasonable steps to prevent an unlawful hunt.
While Bronkhorst appears in court in Zimbabwe, Palmer, who is accused of killing Cecil with a bow and arrow, has been pilloried on the internet, with many people wishing him dead.
In July, Zimbabwes environment minister said the country was seeking Palmers extradition as a foreign poacher. But Palmer would have to be charged before he could be extradited and Zimbabwe has not done this. Zimbabwean police arrested Bronkhorst on 15 September, on new charges of transporting 29 sable antelopes without a permit and as an accomplice to smuggling the animals.
