The killing of a collared lion involved in a research project in Zimbabwe by a trophy hunter has been condemned by wildlife groups, echoing the infamous case of a lion called Cecil whose death at the hands of an American tourist in the same country a decade ago was met with international outrage.

A well-known lion studied by University of Oxford academics has allegedly been killed by trophy hunters. Blondie, who was believed to be five-years-old and the dominant male in his pride, is thought to have been killed on the week commencing 29 June just outside of Hwange National Park, in Zimbabwe.

Blondie was lured out of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park by a trophy hunter and then shot dead. The five-year-old male lion was part of a pride studied by Oxford University scientists. His death has evoked memories of another majestic lion,