A German hunter has shot and killed what is believed to be Africa's biggest elephant in nearly three decades, months after Cecil the lion's killing caused global outrage, according to The Telegraph.

The large bull elephant, believed to be 40 to 60 years old, had tusks that weighed about 120 pounds. The animal was killed on Oct. 8 during a 21-day hunting trip in an area reserved for private hunting which borders the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe.


The hunter, who has not yet been identified, is a German national and paid about $60,000 for a permit to hunt the enormous animal. The hunt was led by an experienced local guide, according to The Independent.

The kill drew a lot of criticism from several social media users, including comedian and animal rights advocate Ricky Gervais.

In July, American dentist Walter Palmer killed Cecil the lion with a bow and arrow in an illegal hunt, which sparked an international outcry, as HNGN previously reported.

On Tuesday, rangers found carcasses of 26 elephants, poisoned by poachers using cyanide in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park following another discovery last week of 14 other elephants, also poisoned to death by cyanide. Click HERE to read more on that story.

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