One of Zimbabwe's most beloved lions was gruesomely killed by an American hunter earlier this month, and local authorities are pursuing criminal charges for all involved parties.

Cecil the lion garnered international attention as part of an Oxford research project. The charismatic lion resided in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, where national law protected the animal from poaching. Authorities allege that a hunting party maliciously lured Cecil out of the confines of the park:

"They went hunting at night with a spotlight and they spotted Cecil," Johnny Rodrigues, of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said in a statement. "They tied a dead animal to their vehicle to lure Cecil out of the park and they scented an area about half a kilometer from the park."

Now on private property, a hunter shot the gentle giant with an arrow, seriously wounding the creature. For the next two days, the hunter then stalked the weakened lion through the Zimbabwean grasslands, ultimately ending its life with a bullet, Rodrigues says.

Reports indicate that Cecil's carcass was skinned and beheaded. The lion's remains have not yet been located.

Cecil is survived by six lionesses and approximately two dozen cubs. Another dominant male will likely kill Cecil's cubs before mating with the six lionesses.

Conservation group Lion Aid reports that nearly 75% of male lions on the park's borders have been shot by hunters over the years.