For several years, Cecil the majestic male African lion was a beloved major attraction at the Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. That is, until it was recently reported that he was killed by American dentist and avid big-game hunter Walter James Palmer, who lured the lion out of the sanctuary and shot him with a crossbow.
Wounded and bleeding, 55-year-old Palmer tracked Cecil for 40 more hours before killing the animal, before skinning it and removing its head as a trophy. Its tracking collar was missing when investigators found Cecil’s mutilated body in the outskirts of the park.
Following the reports, outcry came flooding in from animal conservationists, politicians, celebrities and the internet community, who wasted no time in doing some sleuthing. His private dental practice in Minnesota came under fire both online (check out his Yelp page) and in real life, where his office has been besieged by hate mail, banners and protestors. His personal information, as well as details about his family were published online.
Even Minister K Shanmugam has waded into the fray of criticism against the unwarranted slaughter of Cecil. In a Facebook post, the Minister for Law and for Foreign Affairs derided Palmer for his “unacceptable, barbarous” act, and even dropped the best line ever:
“The dentist could perhaps have considered engaging in combat unarmed if he really felt that he wanted to test himself against a lion.”
“That would be some test.”
The circumstances of which Cecil was hunted down was the main reason for the outrage — Palmer paid USD50,000 to professional hunter Theo Bronkhorst that would enable him to kill a lion, which turned out to be the park’s most popular lion. Bronkhorst and his Zimbabwean accomplices have been arrested in Zimbabwe, while Palmer himself faces investigation by US officials. Since the outrage, the dentist has gone underground in fear of his safety, and issued an unsatisfying apology about the incident.
This is the front door to Walter Palmer’s dentistry http://t.co/Vn8KTybQrj #CecilTheLion pic.twitter.com/vRifPloCS3
— The Guardian (@guardian) July 30, 2015
“I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt. I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt.”
“Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion.”
