Killed by dentist: Cecil the lion.
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In addition to spray-painting the garage door, the culprits scattered what looked like marinated pigs’ feet in the driveway, said Walter Zalisko, owner of Global Investigative Group, a private firm hired to protect the property. The university’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit said it had been tracking Cecil since 2008 and was “deeply saddened” by his death.
After the 13-year-old pride leader was notoriously killed last month – a trophy hunt that authorities in Zimbabwe call illegal – there was widespread speculation that his seven cubs would soon fall victim to a rival male.
Officials in Zimbabwe announced the ban on August 2 after the huge public outcry after Cecil was murdered by Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer, when he was illegally hunting outside the park.
The ban was introduced around Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, but has since been lifted, a statement leaked to members of the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association said.
“I think he has now come to terms with the fact that Cecil is no longer coming back”, said Stapelkamp in an interview on Thursday from Hwange. While it doesn’t directly impact the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people who have since spoken up on the matter, Cecil’s slaughter did profoundly impact the American dentist’s reputation. He shot Cecil with a crossbow after the lion had been lured to killing grounds away from the government-protected park.
I assume that Palmer posted pictures of his hunting exploits in Zimbabwe online expecting a virtual high-five for his hunting prowess.
Neighbors said they have not seen him recently. Cecil suffered for hours until he was tracked down and killed.
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The Animal Legal Defense Fund says it filed a complaint alleging that Palmer brought disrepute to Minnesota’s dental profession and should have his license revoked. The rival lion took advantage of the unprotected pride to try and mate with the cub’s mother and killed one of his competitor’s offspring at the Hwange National Park.
