In a world where each day brings some form of horror, tragedy or emotional turmoil, it is seldom that one event generates an overwhelming collective global outcry across all walks of life. The killing of 13-year-old Cecil, the lion, was one such event. The rare, iconic, black-maned lion was killed illegally on July 1 by U.S. dentist Walter Palmer who first shot him with a bow and arrow after using bait to lure the big cat outside the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Animals are protected within the park.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority subsequently slapped a ban on big-game hunting around the park on August 1, but partially lifted it days later. The ban now remains in place at two private game parks near Hwange. Due to his charismatic presence, Cecil was a big favorite with visitors to the Hwange Park and had been fitted with a global positioning system collar as part of a study by the Hwange Research Center and Oxford University, something which further outraged observers.

Zimbabwe has called for Palmer to be extradited from the United States to face trial over Cecil's death, saying he has tarnished the image of the hunting industry. According to poaching regulations in Zimbabwe, Palmer could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Lion hunting is legal in several African countries in designated areas under strict regulations.

Palmer went into hiding after being condemned by everyone from the White House and animal rights organizations to celebrities and ordinary netizens in millions. At one point, Cecil's image was projected onto the Empire State Building in New York City. In his defense, Palmer has said he relied on local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt. Spurred on by the global outcry, the two Zimbabwean guides he worked with were arrested for illegal bait hunting and then released on bail with court cases pending.

Despite the global outrage, the majority of Zimbabweans seemingly did not know of Cecil's existence and felt the attention given to this incident is excessive. They say the country's more pressing issues like the shattered economy, water shortages, power outages and rising unemployment should be the focus.

The debate on the ethics and legality of big game hunting versus the need to earn revenue through legal hunts to assist with wildlife conservation will continue unabated. Critics say the revenue earned often does not trickle down to where it's needed, while hunting enthusiasts claim the animals that are illegally slaughtered are done so by highly organized poachers. While the debates continue, why did the death of a lion the world had never heard of elicit such unparalleled outrage when deaths of people seldom receive equal universal condemnation. Perhaps it is because the wheels of justice seem to turn so slowly in cases where human tragedy is concerned and the pressure of global opinion has forced those responsible for Cecil's death to be dealt with swiftly. Or perhaps, as the king of the animal kingdom, the killing of a lion touches a chord in all of us, especially when it has a name.

Or ultimately it could be because Cecil personifies the ongoing illegal killing of all endangered species poached and hunted in Africa for decades, to be used for alleged medicinal qualities or mounted as a trophy to satisfy the ego of the wealthy.

THE EDITOR