08/04/2025
So very tragic…
Trophy-hunted lion Blondie carried my sponsored collar
When our Photographer of the Year 2024, Dewald Tromp, joined researchers in Hwange to hand over the lion collar sponsored in his name, he was delighted to be part of the conservation work contributing to the preservation of vulnerable lions in Zim. But we had to share the news with Dewald this week that Blondie, the lion wearing this collar, was killed by trophy hunters.
“I don’t know how to express how shocked I am. It’s absolutely sickening that a lion in its prime can be taken like that – just to feed someone’s ego. It’s pathetic. This was a strong, magnificent animal, young and not even of age yet. Now that this pride male is lost, his whole pride may disperse. Trophy hunting, to me, reflects the worst of human nature. There’s no justification. I’m utterly disgusted. These collars are part of such an important project – to help prevent human-wildlife conflict in the area. The monitoring of these lions is so important. And for that to be ignored by the hunters – along with the lion’s age – is disgusting. Beyond that, these hunts are so damaging to tourism in the area. Photographers will not want to return to this area when they know this is happening. The community sees almost none of the money from these hunts, while a beautiful lion is lost and tourism suffers.”
Read more about the trophy hunting of Blondie here: https://africageographic.com/stories/trophy-hunted-another-hwange-collared-pride-male-lion/
Faces have been obscured for legal reasons – in accordance with privacy and defamation laws.
