The killing of a collared lion involved in a research project in Zimbabwe by a trophy hunter has been condemned by wildlife groups, echoing the infamous case of a lion called Cecil whose death at the hands of an American tourist in the same country a decade ago was met with international outrage.

A well-known lion studied by University of Oxford academics has allegedly been killed by trophy hunters. Blondie, who was believed to be five-years-old and the dominant male in his pride, is thought to have been killed on the week commencing 29 June just outside of Hwange National Park, in Zimbabwe.