Legendary lion Blondie that was studied by Oxford University experts is shot dead by trophy hunters in Zimbabwe!!

The lion was reportedly fed chunks of meat from the back of a truck to bait him away from the park, where poaching is prohibited, and into a hunting area.

The tragedy came just three months after research experts fitted Blondie with a GPS collar to track him and his pride of 10 cubs and three adult females as part of a long-term study.

Mike Blignaut, the co-owner of Victoria Falls Safari Services who allegedly organised the hunt for Blondie, said:

'At this time I cannot comment as I have been advised not to by the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association.

'But I will say the hunt was legal and conducted ethically.' - definitely not ethical!!

Strict Zimbabwean hunting regulations stipulate a minimum age of six years for trophy lions, with an emphasis on targeting older, non-breeding males.

Blondie fell well below that threshold, making his killing deeply controversial and widely condemned.

The loss of this key male lion is expected to cause turmoil for the pride, with a high likelihood that incoming rival males will kill his youngest cubs. RIP Blondie and sadly upon someone’s wall 😭😡🦁

#lions