I think the misinformation the popular media puts out is a disservice and one must sort through the bullshit and propaganda to get to the truth.

Now that sane persons like Ant Williams of African Hunter magazine have written about it, it makes a lot of sense. And the confusion is explained.

* Interesting the property and the black landowner is the result of farm invasions. I wondered about this as I know from personal experience the Gwayi Valley properties being taken over illegally by "warvets" and after that the land being given to Mugabe cronies. As such any client hunting through these illegal "landowners" and knowingly doing it, well I reserve my comments on the opinion of these persons. It is illegal for an American to do so as well, isn't it?

* It seems evident the outfitter and the landowner could not have had lion permits as there is no lion quota for the Gwayi Concession per reports. Therefore it appears the taking of this lion was poaching. And that is why the two guys are in court.

* The comments by them that they had permits comes from the corrupt Zimbabwean practice of swapping areas for permits after a lion has been taken. The outfitter allegedly made some comment about this.

* The PH or outfitter may have made a attempt to destroy the collar as is alleged as it prevents the swapping of areas for permits.

* "Luring" a lion by baiting outside the Park is legal

* Takng a lion with a collar and which has strayed outside the Park is legal.

* Shooting a lion with a "name" which has featured in a study and been filmed does not make a wild lion in a park "tame".

* A thirteen year old lion which has lost its pride is not long for the world.

* The American client, well it is hard to believe he was not aware of some of the above. Considering some of his part history.

The whole bad and sorry incident is being used by anti-hunters to put lion safari hunting under a lot of pressure and in fact pushes to end all African trophy hunting which is quite ridiculous and African gov'ts won't do this.