Xanda, one of Cecil the Lion’s cubs, has been shot dead by a trophy hunter just outside the Hwange National Park in north west Zimbabwe.
Xanda was in his prime, at about 6 years, and had an electronic collar which was tuned in so his movements were monitored by researchers in the area.
The Zimbabwean professional hunter on this shoot was Richard Cooke, from RC Safaris, who handed the collar from the dead lion to researchers.
Cooke lives in Victoria Falls and is widely seen as an “ethical” hunter.
Cecil's death almost exactly two years ago, not far from where his son has just died, caused outrage around the world among animal welfare groups and anti-hunting organisations.
He is remembered as a magnificent black maned lion who captured the world’s imagination.
Cecil was shot and wounded at night with a bow and arrow by American dentist Walter Palmer, who returned the next morning to finish him off. His head and carcass was seized by Zimbabwe police.
Charges against Dr Palmer were withdrawn as he did have a licence to shoot a lion.
The Zimbabwe guide, Theo Bronkhorst, who secured the licence for the hunt, was wiped out of business following the massive international campaign about 13-year-old Cecil.
Charges against Bronkhorst were also withdrawn.
Many US hunters cancelled trips to Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the massive media coverage of the death of Cecil. But now some have now returned to Zimbabwe as the US ban on importation of trophies has been lifted.
Cooke is a well known professional hunter and, so far, has not spoken about this hunt nor released the name of the client who shot Xanda.
The trophy hunter probably paid about R500 000 to shoot Xanda and have his head cured and sent to him.
Oxford University has long monitored lions around the Hwange National Park and provides electronic collars. Xanda was fitted with a collar last August.
More then 70% of funds to safeguard Zimbabwe’s wildlife and catch poachers comes from revenue from professional hunters.