Despite death reports, GPS tracker says lion Jericho ‘alive and well’

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Aug. 1 (UPI) — Conflicting reports emerged Saturday on the widely reported death of Cecil the lion’s brother, Jericho, in Zimbabwe.

Numerous news outlets reported earlier Saturday that Jericho, who’d been caring for Cecil’s cubs, had also been shot dead by a poacher — after Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force official Johnny Rodrigues reported the lion’s death on social media.

CNN subsequently confirmed the story, citing a Hwange National Park official later noted to be Rodrigues.

Brent Stapelkamp, a researcher with the SATIB Conservation Trust’s Hwange Lion Research, has disputed the claims, however, saying the animal appears to be “alive and well” and was observed moving as recently as 8 p.m. Zimbabwe time, based on data from the lion’s GPS collar.

Stapelkamp had also been studying Cecil before his death.

Neither Hwange park officials nor the ZCTF has yet responded to the discrepancy.

CNN subsequently reported the conflicting accounts Saturday afternoon.

“I’m very gutted, I’m very disappointed, I’m heartbroken. It’s just too much,” Rodrigues told USA Today earlier Saturday.

Cecil was lured from Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, where it is illegal to shoot animals, and killed July 1. Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer shot the animal, skinned and beheaded it and left its corpse. Zimbabwe has called for Palmer’s extradition to face charges for violating poaching laws.

Since Cecil’s death, Jericho has been observed in the park protecting Cecil’s cubs. Park officials have been concerned whether Jericho could adequately protect the cubs from other lions, who often kill a prey’s young.

Rodrigues earlier said that Hwange park had released a statement about 30 minutes before Jericho’s supposed death announcing a ban on hunting all lions, leopards and elephants, ABC News reported.

“The park released the statement at about 3:30, and not even half an hour later I got a phone call that Jericho was killed,” he said.