The Oxford University was doing a Lion population study in that park. In 2005-2008 a moratorium on hunting took place which bumped up the park Lion population by 50%. 2009 it was restarted and was supposed to be monitored. The guide and land owner where the Lion was baited too, both knew what they were doing. Turns out the hunter has been in trouble in the US for illegally shooting a bear.
The hunter is known for his ability with a cross bow and willingness to violate hunting regulations to get a trophy. So you have three people willing to violate the law, one for his ego and two for a share of $50,000 U.S. The land owner did not have a Lion included with his 2015 permit.
The Lion study shows Lions will repopulate if given the opportunity. Bad people who don't follow the rules got this Lion killed. The controls on the whole process didn't work due to greed. Problem, if there is not some hunting of Lions in that park, then no money to pay for conservation, and no one will make an effort to protect any animals. Then it's poachers and angry farmers eliminating all animals. This is Africa where you are not going to get even the farmers to stop killing animals that compete for their crops or kill their children.
And if you don't give the government a fee\bribe, African governments don't care either.
No trophy hunting = no money = extinct animals.
