Cecil's Pride and Joy: The Cubs Will Be Fine, Researcher Says

[Judi Lynn]

Source: NBC News

Aug 5 2015, 9:37 pm ET

Cecil's Pride and Joy: The Cubs Will Be Fine, Researcher Says

by Desmond Kwande and Hasani Gittens

HWANGE, Zimbabwe — Cecil the Lion may be sadly gone, but his offspring will be okay, one of the main researchers who has studied Zimbabwe's big cats for years said Wednesday.

Brent Staplekamp, who works for the Hwange Lion Research Project was the last man to have caught and collared Cecil for study, last November. He was also one of the people who confirmed that Cecil's brother, Jericho, is still alive, despite reports to the contrary last weekend.

Staplekamp told NBC News late Wednesday that Cecil's cubs will be okay. It was previously believed they could become secondary casualties of American hunter Walter Palmer.

"Okay so there is a lot of concern about Cecil's cubs, we've read and we've seen stories about Cecil's cubs and the world is concerned about them," said Staplekamp. "We are less concerned and I think that's because we know the story."

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/cecils-pride-joy-cubs-are-alright-researcher-says-n404901?cid=par-time-article_20150806

[Liberty Belle]

1. Very glad to hear this! (N/T)

[bluestateguy]

2. They have a lot of good young talent and Anthony Rizzo

But I question the wisdom of them signing Jon Lester to a huge long-term contract when he is 30 and showing signs that he has already peaked.

[AngryAmish]

7. Rizzo is only 25

That counts as young.

[840high]

4. Jericho will take care of them.

[Skittles]

5. I hope a crazy paranoid arrow/gun humping nutcase doesn't get Jericho

no indeed

[pansypoo53219]

6. hope he is trapped in Nunavut.

[okasha]

8. I hope we'll get regular updates

to keep the pride in the public consciousness, both to protect them and to keep pressure on to extradite Palmer.