On July 6, Cecil the Lion was murdered by American dentist, Walter Palmer. Palmer was hunting in Zimbabwe and was unaware that his victim was a beloved African lion and the subject of Oxford University research. The 13-year-old Cecil had six young cubs. According to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, the next lion in line for the hierarchy will probably kill Cecil's cubs so his own bloodline can assume power. This is a tragedy for more reasons than one. Cecil could have gone on to live a long, happy life as a father. And while this is sad, there is more to realize here.
Hunting is legal. Hunting licenses are granted in every state, every year. Obviously, there are regulations, which are more complicated than I can attempt to fathom. But generally if you want to hunt, you can.
Cecil the Lion
With Cecil's recent death, people worldwide are grieving. This animal was beloved by many and was an innocent victim to someone's "hobby." After reading this story, it shocks me that hunting still goes on. While I am extremely saddened by Cecil's passing, I wonder why people don't always react this way. Animals are slaughtered in the wild every day. Who grieves for them? Cecil should serve as a wake-up call to people everywhere that hunting and animal abuse cannot continue. We need to look at this from a fuller perspective and realize that this cruelty is despicable. Animals should never be skinned and beheaded (as Cecil was) for our pleasure and game. The fact that people all over the world are reacting so strongly to Cecil's murder is heart-warming. It means that we innately understand how wrong this is. So why can't we do something about it? The right to hunt is not a Constitutional right. It is a dated sport. Animals do not deserve to live in fear of being ripped from their families or losing their father.I wanted to learn more about Cecil's killer, Walter Palmer. As I was reading about him, I came across some very disturbing images.
The lion pictured above is not Cecil. But he is dead. Palmer is pictured left. He and his buddy are smiling. This makes me sick. This poor lion has been brutally murdered, no doubt leaving behind a family. But these two are gleeful. I don't get it.
Palmer is not pictured here. However, this is a photo from the Facebook page of the company he hunted with.
Palmer (bottom) pictured with the same man from the above-pictured lion photo. This time, with a dead rhino. And still smiling. Disgusting.
Palmer has won countless hunting awards. How can there be such a thing as a HUNTING AWARD? Congratulations, you brutally slaughtered the most innocent, loving animals. Here's a trophy and money. WTF?! I mean seriously, how can this be possible? The fact that there's any incentive for people to shoot, skin, and behead animals is a problem that needs to be corrected. Cecil did not deserve to die in his own home. No animal deserves that. We need to recognize what has happened and move forward with anti-hunting legislation. We need to make the world safe for animals like Cecil. Soon we won't be able to grieve the loss of a beautiful creature like Cecil. There won't be any left.
