A Zimbabwean court has charged a professional hunter with failing to prevent an American from unlawfully killing 'Cecil', the southern African country's best-known lion, in a case that has triggered widespread revulsion at trophy hunting.
The American, Walter James Palmer, a Minnesota dentist who paid $50,000 (€45,200) to kill the lion, has left Zimbabwe.
He said he did kill the animal but believed the hunt was legal and that the necessary permits had been issued.
Local hunter Theo Bronkhorst appeared in a courthouse in Hwange, 800km west of Harare, and was charged with "failing to supervise, control and take reasonable steps to prevent an unlawful hunt".
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was set free after posting $1,000 (€910) bail and depositing his passport with the court. He will return to court on 5 August for trial.
Game park owner Honest Ndlovu, who is also accused of assisting Mr Palmer, was not charged and parks officials said he would first testify for the state and be charged later.
While Mr Bronkhorst appeared in court in Zimbabwe, Mr Palmer, who is accused of killing Cecil with a bow and arrow, was being pilloried on the internet, with many people wishing him dead.
Mr Palmer said yesterday he had hired professional guides who secured hunting permits and deeply regretted taking the lion.
He added he had not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or the United States and would assist in any inquiries.
The Zimbabwe police and government have not commented.
If found guilty, Mr Bronkhorst could be fined $20,000 (€18,170) and possibly jailed for up to 10 years.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service expressed its concern about the killing. "We are currently gathering facts about theissue and will assist Zimbabwe officials in whatever manner requested," said Vanessa Kauffman, a spokeswoman for the US government agency.
"It is up to all of us - not just the people of Africa - to ensure that healthy, wild populations of animals continue to roam the savanna for generations to come."
