Two Months After Cecil the Lion’s Death – What Has Changed?

The tragic death of Cecil the Lion in July generated an unprecedented global conversation about conservation and trophy hunting in Africa. Ricky Gervais tweeted about it, Jimmy Kimmel cried about it and social media users all over the world raged at the inhumane act.

As sad as Cecil’s passing was, there have been some positive consequences. Delta, United and American Airlines banned the shipment of big-game trophies on flights and joined Etihad, Emirates, Virgin and many other airlines with the same policy. Donations poured in for Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Unit (WildCRU) who were the team who installed Cecil’s tracking collar. Possibly the biggest positive was that the world’s attention turned to Africa’s hunting industry. The closer that the trophy hunting industry is scrutinised on a world-scale the better.

WildCRU’s director, Prof David Macdonald, said the team would devote themselves to working for the conservation of lions following the incredible generosity. “I believe that the worldwide engagement with Cecil’s story transcends the tragic fate of one lion, and sends a signal that people care about conservation and want it to be reflected in how humanity lives alongside nature in the 21st century. We feel inspired by this support and will work tirelessly to deliver the science and understanding that will enable wildlife and people to co-exist for the wellbeing of both.”

Thousands of people from all over the world joined in on the conversation, but it was none other than Jane Goodall who made one of the most impassioned statements. “And the question we should ask ourselves is this: just because he was named, and loved and part of a scientific study, does that make him any different, in the world of the lion, than the other lions killed by ‘sport’ hunters? All those splendid individuals whose decapitated heads disfigure the walls of countless wealthy homes?

“I simply cannot put myself into the mind of a person who pays thousands of dollars to go and kill beautiful animals simply to boast, to show off their skill or their courage. Especially as it often involves no skill or courage whatsoever, when the prey is shot with a high-powered rifle from a safe distance. How can anyone with an ounce of compassion be proud of killing these magnificent creatures?”

In this post, we look at the ramifications of Cecil’s death. How has this affected the hunting industry? What has happened to those involved in the hunt? And also, what has happened to Cecil’s pride?

To get up to speed, here is a timeline of the past two months since Cecil’s death.

So, where does that leave us now?

HUNTING IN AFRICA
Over the past few years, there has been a series of social media attacks on big game hunters but never has there been bigger outrage than the outcry from Cecil’s death. Initially, the outrage seemed to cause a positive change. Zimbabwe put out a moratorium on big game hunting, only to lift it ten days later. While three major airlines in the US announced they would ban the transport of any big game trophies there are still many options available for the “trophies” to be transported via UPS and FEDEX. UPS will continue to ship hunting trophies, so long as it’s legal, saying: “We avoid making judgments on the appropriateness of the contents.”

With the recent release of the documentary Blood Lions, the canned lion hunting industry, which sees 2 lions killed a day in Southern Africa, has never been under more pressure. Hopefully, this new awareness will cause the industry to change its inhumane ways. Although, with such a lucrative industry at stake, it would be surprising to see widespread or rapid changes.

THE HUNTERS
Walter Palmer – Zimbabwe called for the extradition of the Minnesotan dentist, Walter Palmer, although this is highly unlikely. His dental practice recently re-opened after being forced to shut down following the protests and incredible public backlash the practice received. He continues to be in hiding.

Theo Bronkhurst – the Zimbabwean hunter who took Palmer on the hunt has been charged in Victoria Falls for not having the required hunting permit. The case is adjourned until 28 September when Bronkhorst’s barrister is next available.

Honest Ndlovu – Zimbabwe has charged a man, Honest Ndlovu, for allowing an illegal hunt on his land. Ndlovu allowed Palmer to hunt and kill Cecil with a bow and arrow without a quota for a lion hunt on his farm, which is separated from the park by a railway track, prosecutors stated. Ndlovu is free on $200 bail and the case has been postponed to September 18. The charge carries a one-year jail term or a $400 fine.

CECIL’S PRIDE
When news of Cecil’s death broke a feature of the narrative was the impact his death would have on his pride. His cubs would apparently be killed by the new incoming dominant males and the death of Cecil would result in the death of a further 10 lions.

It is known as the perturbation effect, the cascading effects on the surviving lions from the death of one of them. In brief, scientists have found that when a male lion is killed, because of the way their society works, a likely consequence is the overthrow and death of other adult male members of his weakened coalition (normally of brothers), and the subsequent infanticide of his cubs by the incoming new coalition of males.

Luckily for Cecil’s pride, this has not been the case thus far. We’re happy to tell you that according to sources in Hwange National Park, who are monitoring the pride, that all of the cubs are alive and healthy. African Bush Camps recently released heart-warming footage of Cecil’s pride showing them exploring the park, and hopefully they will be doing just that for years to come.

So where does this leave us now? The publicity from Cecil’s death led to unprecedented donations for WidlCRU, which will go a long way to help them continue their research in Zimbabwe. Three US airlines changed their policies, but it’s still possible and relatively easy to get the trophies shipped back home. Legally, nothing of note has changed and foreigners can still traipse onto our African shores and decimate our wildlife for a nominal fee which only spurs on the brutal captive breeding of lions and other animals.

We can only hope that through the general outrage and wide backlash from Cecil’s death that maybe, just maybe, those men and women who were thinking of coming here to shoot a lion or an equally incredible wild animal have reconsidered their plans. Hopefully, those who care have  sent a message to the world – that it is not acceptable to shoot a wild animal simply to boast or for the ‘sport of it’. Trophy hunting needs to end, the sooner it does so the better.