Safari Club International (SCI) says the organisation supports a full and thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe.
BY STAFF REPORTER
In a statement yesterday, SCI said they had imposed immediate emergency membership suspensions of both the involved hunter American Walter James Palmer and his guide/professional hunter, Theo Bronkhorst. They will remain in place pending the outcome of an investigation.
“Safari Club International condemns unlawful and unethical hunting practices. SCI supports only legal hunting practices and those who comply with all applicable hunting rules and regulations, and SCI believes that those who intentionally take wildlife illegally should be prosecuted and punished to the maximum extent allowed by law,” the organisation said.
Safari Club International has approximately 47 000 members worldwide, many of whom also hunt worldwide.
Its mission include the conservation of wildlife, protection of the hunter’s rights, and education of the public concerning hunting and its use as a conservation and management tool.
