Cecil the Lion’s Head Wanted by Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force

The head of Cecil the lion is wanted by a Zimbabwe conservation group to be mounted in a case in Hwange National Park, where he was killed last month.

Johnny Rodrigues, chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said the lion’s head was found in the home of Theo Bronkhorst, one of the co-accused.

Cecil the lion was shot in July by American dentist Walter Palmer. Zimbabwe is seeking his extradition.

The lion’s death made headlines around the world, sending Walter Palmer into hiding.

Johnny Rodrigues told the BBC the plan had been for the head to be sent to South Africa and then on to the US where Walter Palmer would be able to claim it.

He said the Task Force would raise the money for Cecil’s head to be mounted in a glass case and would ask the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority about the plan “once the dust had settled”.

“Any tourist should be able to come and see the cause of all this turmoil around the world,” Johnny Rodrigues said.

Johnny Rodrigues said he has been subjected to a torrent of abuse after speaking out against hunting following Cecil’s death.

“I had to put my phone off. Hunters are using this as a way to get to me, sending insults and remarks by email and by text.”

He said he had been accused of taking money from hunts, a claim he denied.

“I hate hunting, I don’t believe in it,” he said.

Cecil’s six cubs were being looked after by another lion, Jericho, according to Johnny Rodrigues.

“We were expecting the worst and for the other male to come in and take the female and kill the cubs. But Jericho is doing a good job.

“They are following him around and he is playing with them. We are monitoring them all the time and everybody is happy.”