Cecil the lion’s brother ‘is protecting cubs’ against rival killer [View all]

[catbyte]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/cecil-the-lions-brother-is-protecting-cubs-against-rival-killer/story-e6frg6so-1227464435395
------
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.
-------snip------

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.