I do not have any first-hand knowledge of this case. I have only input from the media. Here is what I can glean.
Four parties are involved Let’s call them: the Hunter, the Guide, the Landowner and Cecil the lion.
The Hunter signed up with the Guide for the chance to shoot a lion on private land for $50,000 . That is a lot of cash in any country, but in Zimbabwe it is a F-ton of cash!!! Enough to make people do things they would not ordinarily. do.
To facilitate “the hunt” the Guide tied an animal carcass to his vehicle and drove around the preserve until a lion decided to follow. He then drove onto the Landowner’s property with Cecil the lion following close behind…
The Hunter hasn’t a clue that Cecil is special and tagged. He just knows that the Guide paid the Landowner to get permission to hunt on his property.
The Guide took the Hunter to a good spot so he could have a chance of bagging a lion with his crossbow. Cecil was already in the area having enjoyed the meal the Guide had left for him earlier.
The Hunter saw the lion and, Ffffitt!, got Cecil.
The guy was duped by the Guide and Landowner into thinking it was ok. Money corrupts.
(He was also a dufus. For $50,000 he could have bought over 150 slaves and set up a clothing sweat shop – a much wiser purchase!)