A U.S. trophy hunter baited and killed a male lion on June 7th in Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, a part of Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Suspicions are that the animal shot was Skye, a beloved lion in the region. If the killed lion was Skye, this would have been a breach of South African regulations, because the lion was too young to be legally hunted. Authorities also say that if it is confirmed that the lion was baited, that could violate South African laws.

Investigation conclusion: It was established that the lion was most likely Skye but definitive evidence in the form of the lion pelt or carcass was lacking. The lion disappeared directly after the hunt took place.

Published articles:
https://www.iol.co.za/news/umbabats-beloved-lion-to-become-trophy-hunters-targets-15721343

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-05-digging-for-the-truth-about-skye/

https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/another-cecil-secrecy-surrounds-june-trophy-lion-hunt/