Cecil the lion’s brother ‘is protecting cubs’ against rival killer

[catbyte]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/cecil-the-lions-brother-is-protecting-cubs-against-rival-killer/story-e6frg6so-1227464435395
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The lion cubs fathered by Cecil, the now famous big cat shot dead in Zimbabwe, are being protected by his brother from other dominant lions, according to researchers at Oxford University.

Cecil was killed on July 1 by American dentist Walter Palmer, who has since gone into hiding amid international outrage at the death of the lion.

Cecil was lured out of Hwange National Park boundaries, shot by a bow and arrow and took 40 hours to die.

Theo Bronkhorst, the professional Zimbabwean hunter who organised the hunt has been charged in Zimbabwe with “failing to prevent an illegal hunt.”

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has also opened a probe into the hunt.

“We’re investigating the killing of #CecilTheLion. Will go where facts lead. We ask Dr. Palmer or his rep to contact USFWS immediately,” the agency said on Twitter.

After Cecil’s death, Zimbabwe conservationists warned that his cubs would be killed by the next lion in the hierarchy. The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force said it expected that lion, named Jericho, would take on Cecil’s pride of lions and kill his cubs so he could inject his own bloodline into the females.
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Wow. That's the best news I've heard since this whole horrific thing started. I hate that fucking dentist with a white hot passion. I don't know why I just can't let it go. I guess it's the senselessness of the death of such a magnificent, unique creature at the hands a worthless, greedy, soul-sucking, obscene 1% asshole Republican. At least the cubs might have a fighting chance.

[jberryhill]

1. So he says

You gotta watch those lion uncles...



Wait until he finds out Cecil's brother set the whole thing up.

Oh, Spoiler Alert.

[bigwillq]

2. Welp, now I don't have to see that movie.

Thanks alot.

LOL

[pokerfan]

8. Can you spoil a 400 year old story?

[HFRN]

11. Darth is Luke's father

while we're at it

[bigwillq]

12. Nooooo.

Did not see that coming.

[dumbcat]

3. Not to in any way defend the dentist

for his horrible act, but I have to wonder under what pretext of legal authority the US Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating anything to do with this? How would it fall under their jurisdiction? Anyone know? Have a statute or US Code they can cite?

I hope the African authorities man up and do what they have to do to follow their law and if appropriate under their law request extradition and bring the asshat to justice. I would like to see him punished, but I also want to see due process.

[jwirr]

5. They are looking into it from the endangered specie act.

[catbyte]

6. If this asshole is a convicted felon for poaching that bear in 2008, did he still possess a gun?

I thought felons weren't allowed to have guns. I guess they're readily available in Africa, though. He originally shot Cecil with a bow & arrow, but he finished him off with a gun. Allegedly he's not allowed to hunt in the United States, which is probably why he's exporting his obscene bloodlust to Africa. What a loathsome piece of garbage he is. It'll be interesting to see if Fish & Wildlife has any jurisdiction in this case.

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. Some news stories said the guide shot the lion.

Assuming the dentist is not allowed to have a gun, how is it he is allowed to have any kind of deadly weapon?
Or does that only apply to when he is in USA?

[frylock]

14. He used a crossbow

[catbyte]

15. He used a crossbow when he wounded him. He was finished off with a gun. Just wonder if Palmer shot

him or if the other poachers did. I can't imagine that walking example of male inadequacy would allow somebody else to complete the murder, but maybe he did.

[LanternWaste]

7. USFWS simply wants to wants to get Palmer’s version of what went wrong in the hunt.

USFWS simply wants to wants to get Palmer’s version of what went wrong in the hunt. Much as the FBI can (and does) investigate crimes by Americans on foreign soil, the USFW also investigates, follows-up and makes recommendations for possible/potential concerns by Americans on foreign soil. E.g., in the 90's, it was the USFW that broke up a pretty large truffle smuggling ring between France and US east coast utilizing USFW agents who had moved their investigation to northwest France.

The big key is that one of the departments of the USFW (the Endangered Species Program Dept) serves as the investigative body to carry out the provisions outlined in The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, opening up the USFW to cooperation and investigation of Americans acting on foreign soil. Oddly enough, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration works concurrently (in both investigation and enforcement-- though their budget for this is much smaller) with the USFW

Reading the 1973 Endangered Species Act may allow you a more comprehensive perspective of their full jurisdiction.

[catbyte]

10. Palmer has lied to Fish & Wildlife before. Maybe he's arrogant and stupid enough to do it again.

Hope springs eternal...

[meow2u3]

4. I didn't know uncle lions were as protective of cubs as papa lions

That's news to me. I was worried for the lives of the cubs at the paws of a male lion who wanted to mate with the females.

I'm very happy to hear Uncle Jericho is protecting his nieces and nephews.

[ohheckyeah]

9. This made

my day!

I'm so happy the cubs are being protected.