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A man who helped an American dentist hunt and kill the lion named Cecil, said Thursday the trip was spoiled from the start and the dentist had more than just a lion in mind for prey.
Theo Bronkhorst, a hunting guide, spoke to The Daily Telegraph on Thursday detailing the encounter that sparked a global firestorm of criticism.
Dr. Walter Palmer's luggage was lost, which was the first bad omen, Bronkhorst said.
Second, the hunting group departed late, when the sun was already down. They ended up in an area where they did not intend for the dentist to hunt and kill Cecil specifically, even though Palmer had the intention of slaying a lion, Bronkhorst said.
The public outcry has taken a toll on Bronkhorst, who appeared in court Wednesday.
He said he was "devastated" by what happened and hid the animal's research collar in nearby trees because he panicked. He also claimed to be a farmer who uses hunting as a means of income.
His house has been raided by officials searching for illegal weapons, and he is not allowed to continue running his hunting business, which he has done since 1992.
After the incident, Palmer said he was also looking for an elephant that weighed a minimum 63 pounds, according to Bronkhorst.
Bronkhort said he would be unable to accommodate the dentist's requests and the two parted ways.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said Bronkhorst has conducted his hunting business since 2002. He has conducted his hunting business since 1992.
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