A Magistrate’s Court in Hwange, Zimbabwe, has refused hunter, Theo Bronkhorst’s request to drop all charges against him for failing to prevent Walter Palmer from shooting and killing Cecil the lion outside Hwange National Park, according to Reuters.
Zimbabwean authorities decided not to prosecute Palmer for killing Cecil as all his paperwork and documents were order.
Bronkhorst’s trial is set for November 20.
Johnny Rodrigues, Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said the prosecution of Bronkhorst should have occurred in the first court case on July 29. “As far as I am concerned, a crime was committed and those involved should be charged.”
Rodrigues argues that Palmer should also be prosecuted as he was an accessory to the crime, even though he had a hunting licence. “The licence didn’t give them the authority to hunt a lion in a non-permitted area. Here in Zimbabwe, if a local kills an animal, he/she will get between five and 16 years. This crime is equivalent to poaching.”
Rodrigues’ attorneys are looking into ways to use the Lacey Law; a conservation law that prohibits the trade of wildlife, fish and plants that have been illegally possessed, transported or sold; and charge Palmer in America.
Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has suspended hunting in Antoinette and Antoinette Farm, Railway Farm 31, Umuguza and Kusile Rural District Councils, pending the outcome of the court processes.
