Three lions whose dismembered carcasses were found at Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North on Tuesday of last week are said to have been killed by a Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) employee.
Game ranger Hali Mabuya, 39, who works at the park’s Mtshibi Camp, is accused of shooting the lions with a gun that was given to him, according to ZimLive.
On October 22, he tried to return the gun to the armory by getting a coworker to fabricate the dates he signed for and returned the Point 458 rifle. This led to his arrest.
On October 22, he tried to return the gun to the armory by getting a coworker to fabricate the dates he signed for and returned the Point 458 rifle. This led to his arrest.
Mabuya was allegedly a member of a poaching syndicate, according to the prosecution. He was charged with unlawful hunting and unlawful possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate when he appeared in the Hwange Magistrates Court on Saturday.
The seized firearm has been connected to the shots that killed the lions, according to prosecutor Jemesina Makanza. Mabuya was discovered in possession of 52 live rounds, including 30 for a Point 458 rifle, which ZimParks says he was never given.
Magistrate Fungai Dzimbiri remanded Mabuya in detention until November 1 without asking him to enter a plea.
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Within the expansive wildlife refuge, the three lions—two females and one male—were found with their heads and paws amputated close to the Dom Pan waterhole.
Additionally, investigators found footprints and tire markings at the scene, indicating that multiple people were engaged in the animals’ slaughter and dismemberment.
A US$2,000 reward had been offered by ZimParks for information that would help identify the poachers.