Taxidermist weighs in on problems with big game poaching

An American man is being sought in connection with a case that has drawn international attention — the killing of Cecil the lion — Zimbabwean officials said Tuesday, July 28, 2015. The man suspected in Cecil’s death is Walter James Palmer of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, according to Johnny Rodrigues, head of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force.

by: Jon Bowman

Posted: Jul 29, 2015 / 05:06 PM MDT

Updated: Jul 30, 2015 / 05:41 AM MDT

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Brad Haddix is one of the nation’s top taxidermists.

He produces some of the best displays of trophy animals harvested by hunters. Haddix works on dozens of animals from sportsmen around the world.

Like most, the apparent poaching of a tourist-famous African lion named Cecil, has left him questioning the ethics of some big-game hunters.

“If you want to poach, it can be done pretty easily. Up in Evergreen there are deer and elk everywhere,” Haddix said.

“You can just pull over and shoot an elk, but knowing it is illegal, you have to live with your conscious and the morality of breaking the law. If you are caught, you will have to pay the price.”

The dentist from Minnesota who shot the lion with a bow and arrow faces poaching charges.