I just could not help myself and clicked on this article... So many lines in here made me laugh. Feel sorry for the guy though, he's going to be hunted in far worse fashion than the lion...
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/15898454/american-shooting-mopane-lion-2/A US trophy hunter who killed Mopane the lion has been "exposed" online by furious animal rights activists who published his address and demanded justice.
Philip Smith, a physical therapist from Missouri, was identified in unconfirmed reports as the man who lured Mopane away from his two prides and shot him with a bow and arrow.
Mopane was allegedly hit with a bow and arrow and took 24 hours to die
Mopane was allegedly hit with a bow and arrow and took 24 hours to dieCredit: Facebook / The Hide, Zimbabwe Safari Lodge
US trophy hunter Phillip Smith is being accused of killing Mopane the lion
US trophy hunter Phillip Smith is being accused of killing Mopane the lionCredit: Linkedin
Philip Smith, a physical therapist from Missouri, was identified in unconfirmed reports as the man who lured Mopane away from his two prides and shot him with a bow and arrow.
Furious animal rights activists shared the man’s address online and named the hunting company and taxidermy firm he used to allegedly carry out the hunt.
The self-described “passionate bow hunter” is “working my way through a goal of hunting all of the North American big game animals”, according to a 2019 blog post in which he recounts slaying a polar bear in northern Canada.
Smith was named following outrage when it emerged a US tourist paying £30,000 had slaughtered the majestic 12-year-old lion yards from where Cecil was killed five years ago.
The trophy hunter and a guide are said to have used an elephant carcass to lure Mopane out of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park - where hunting is illegal - into the neighbouring Antoinette farm.
Confirming the incident, Hannes Wessels, 65, a former professional hunter, said Mopane's death had left a massive hole in the reserve.
"I was there in that area at the time, and there’s no doubt Mopane has gone," he said.
"Nobody wants to talk about it, nor be named but it happened."
The paper was unable to verify these reports while Dinguzulu Safaris and Smith have not responded to requests for comment from The Sun.
"You can’t hunt in the park so they bait on the periphery,” Wessels explained.
"Whatever you think about hunting — and it may be unpalatable to outsiders — it keeps poachers away. Wherever hunting is not allowed, poaching soars. It is more complicated than at first sight."
Mopane's killing has triggered a swell of anger, with the incident slammed as showing "humanity at its worst".
It's understood Mopane, who headed two prides, died on August 5 after being shot with a bow and arrow.
The animal reportedly survived for 24 hours after being shot before dying, and it's unclear whether another arrow or bullet was used.
“Absolutely sickening, I wonder if the hunters would think it is still fun if they were shot by a bolt and left in agony for hours,” one social media user shared online following the news of Mopane’s tragic death.
"The question to all these hunts is what is to gain?? All big animal numbers are dwindling at a faster pace than we realize," added another.
In his 2019 blog post, Smith says he shot a polar bear who "spun in a few circles" before being chased and hit at close range during a camp-out in Canada’s arctic Nunavut region.
Without him, his pride is now vulnerable to takeover by another male or group of males, which may lead to the killing of the cubs and females in his pride.
Kitty Block
"The thought of stalking up on this bear with the dogs working and being out on the bay like that still feels like a dream," he recounts.
"There’s something very humbling in an experience like that. I’m still flooded by emotions each time I think of it.
"I have three young boys who act like they like to hunt. I’m hoping they can experience an adventure like this and it’s as spiritual for them as it was for me."
Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said: "The perverse pleasure some people derive from killing iconic animals brought this noble lion’s life to a tragic end.
"Another trophy hunter spending tens of thousands of dollars on a globe-trotting, thrill-to-kill escapade shows humanity at its worst.”
Back in December, a post by Big Game Safaris revealed plans for the trip to slaughter the lion, before being removed, reports the Mirror.
On average a 15-day hunting safari costs $30,000-$40,000 with extra charges depending on the type of game killed, according to a deleted web post seen by The Times.
"The mighty Mopani. He is one of the oldest and definitely the most aggressive in our hunting block," it read.
"We border Hwange game reserve and Mopani travels in between the two areas. Do you want the chance to take a big free roaming lion?
"Book a hunt with us."
While trophy hunting is legal in Zimbabwe, it is banned in national parks.
Tinashe Farawo, of Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, defended the hunt.
“The hunt was legal, so why is there this noise?" he said.
"As long this lion was six years old it was a legal hunt."
The Humane Society described Mopane as "well known" to local tour guides and international tourists.
Kitty Block added: "Mopane was a father and played a significant role in his pride.
"Without him, his pride is now vulnerable to takeover by another male or group of males, which may lead to the killing of the cubs and females in his pride."
