In a statement to Associated Press, external, Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe parks agency, defended the hunt and said they often happened at night, meaning the collar on Blondie may not have been visible.
He said he had no information on Blondie being lured out of the park with bait, but said there “is nothing unethical or illegal about that for anyone who knows how lions are hunted – this is how people hunt”.
“Our rangers were present. All paperwork was in order. Collars are for research purposes, but they don’t make the animal immune to hunting,” Mr Farawo said.
He declined to name the hunter.
In a text message to The Times, external, Mike Blignaut, co-owner of Victoria Falls Safari Services, who allegedly helped organise the hunt, said: “I cannot comment on anything. This is under instruction from ZPGA (the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association).”
But he added: “I do wanna assure you, though, that the hunt was legal and conducted ethically.”
The BBC has also contacted Mr Blignaut for a comment.
Blondie is said to have led a pride of three females and ten cubs.