Account of how Cecil the lion was hunted and shot by a dentist, Walter Palmer using a powerful bow and arrow has surfaced online.
In an interview with the British Telegraph, Theo Bronkhorst the professional guide who was with the man who allegedly shot the lion, Palmer explained how the dentist was only in Zimbabwe for a few days, and had also wanted to shoot a large elephant.
"A huge male -- Cecil -- came into view... He was a magnificent animal," Bronkhorst said, describing the hunt.
Cecil was only injured, and the next day they tracked it down and Palmer shot it.
Bronkhorst said they were both shocked to discover the collar.
"I could not have seen the collar at night. We would never shoot a collared animal. I was devastated, and so was the client, we were both upset, and I panicked and took it off and put it in a tree," he said.
Bronkhorst admitted he should have taken the collar to the authorities, and added that the hunt "went wrong from the beginning" when they had to change location at the last minute.
Bronkhorst is due to stand trial in Hwange on August 5.
About 50,000 visitors visit the Hwange park every year, and Cecil was a much-photographed star attraction.
Palmer's dental practice in Minnesota has been the scene of protests against Cecil's death since the incident, with crowds leaving toys of lions, tigers and monkeys outside the building.
A sign reading "Rot in Hell" was plastered on the office door, while one animal rights charity has called for Palmer to be hanged.
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