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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Cecil the Lion, Zimbabwe's famous big cat, was killed illegally by a foreign hunter who bribed the wildlife guide, according to media reports on Tuesday.
Cecil was wearing a GPS collar as part of an Oxford University research project which has been ongoing since 1999.
Johnny Rodrigues, head of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said that Cecil was lured out of a national park with food, shot with a crossbow, tracked for 40 more hours, then finished off with a rifle on July 6.
The 13-year-old lion's head was reportedly cut off and his skin was taken as well.
Cecil was killed allegedly by a Spaniard. But he said that as many as three hunters may have been involved, none of whom have been detained.
The operator of the hunters group, the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association, was arrested, and a hearing has been scheduled on Aug. 6.
(Agencies)
