If you haven't already heard, Cecil, one of Zimbabwe's most famous lions was killed by a hunter on a hunting trip. Yesterday he paid £638 to be released on bail and is returning to court on 5th August. The hunter, a dentist from Minnesota is attempting to defend his case having carried out an unlawful hunt. Animal hunting is becoming an ever increasing problem as there are companies who hold both lawful and unlawful hunts on animals across the world and Africa, although one of the main issues with this is how do you put a price on these hunts - it's not just time and the materials but the cost of nature too. You also have to bring the characteristics of the animals into consideration. For example, Cecil was renowned for being friendly towards visitors which generated much needed tourism, particularly in a place where there's not a thriving economy. In Cecil's case he was partly driving tourism in Hwange National park - one of Zimbabwe's largest game reserves. Partly because he led two prides of lion's containing six lionesses and 12 cubs, Oxford University was studying him. The fact he was involved in scientific research also makes the problem far more complex because how can you price knowledge and further scientific developments which arise from that? The simple answer is, you cant.
What makes Cecil's death even worse is people hunt animals not just because of the 'pleasure' they get from the actual act of hunting they treat the animal that's died like a trophy - like a competition they've won. In fact, around 665 lions in Africa are killed every year for a "trophy". And sadly,Cecil's body was found skinned and beheaded according to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZTCF). A representative from ZTCF said that Cecil never bothered anyone and a beautiful animal. Personally I think it's more about the circumstances he was killed - the killers tried to remove the GPS tag Oxford University had installed, he was treated badly after his death. And above all lions are worth so much, from tourism, to status. Whatever anyone thinks, Lions or any animal for that matter shouldn't be killed as a competition or should have a bad death or be treated badly after they've died.
What makes Cecil's death even worse is people hunt animals not just because of the 'pleasure' they get from the actual act of hunting they treat the animal that's died like a trophy - like a competition they've won. In fact, around 665 lions in Africa are killed every year for a "trophy". And sadly,Cecil's body was found skinned and beheaded according to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZTCF). A representative from ZTCF said that Cecil never bothered anyone and a beautiful animal. Personally I think it's more about the circumstances he was killed - the killers tried to remove the GPS tag Oxford University had installed, he was treated badly after his death. And above all lions are worth so much, from tourism, to status. Whatever anyone thinks, Lions or any animal for that matter shouldn't be killed as a competition or should have a bad death or be treated badly after they've died.
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| #RIPCecil |
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