The son of Cecil the lion - Zimbabwe's beloved big cat, whose death at the hands of an American trophy hunter triggered widespread outrage two summers ago - has been killed as well, according to officials at Hwange National Park.

Officials said Xanda, who was 6 and had several cubs, was fatally shot several days ago by another trophy hunter in Zimbabwe.

Cecil the lion was shot dead in 2015. Credit:Wildlife Conservation Research Unit via AP

"We can't believe that now, 2 years since Cecil was killed, that his oldest Cub Xanda has met the same fate," the Facebook group Lions of Hwange National Park said Thursday. "When will the Lions of Hwange National Park be left to live out their years as wild born free lions should?"

Officials said Xanda was killed during a hunt organised by Richard Cooke Safaris. The group did not respond to a request for comment.