I really do not see why anyone actually cares about a lion half way around the world. The whole thing is ridiculous. Was the lion shot on protected property? NO. End of story. Baiting prey is common all over the place.
Precisely the attitude that has hunted other creatures to extinction, or the brink of extinction. Apparently this attitude about "not caring" is in the minority.
To the fella that said that sport hunting is an expensive adult version of killing the neighborhood cat for kicks, I agree. We had a jerk that lit one on fire when I was a kid. Same deranged mentality involved in taking pleasure from suffering and death.
Folks in favor of sport hunting act like solving the worlds problems is mutually exclusive. Well, I can be concerned about a lot of world problems and want to solve them all. Just because people are "up in arms" about Cecil, doesn't mean they/we can't also be concerned about other problems like poverty, debt, war, crime, or any other issues.
Cecil just happens to resonate with a lot of people, and be a clear case of the issue of sport hunting and poaching. And it seems enough "facts" are out to ruin this dipwats life. And I have not an ounce of sympathy for him or any other sport hunters, animal abusers, or poachers - all in the same deranged mental category if you ask me.
There is not a single argument than can be made that justifies sport hunting of these majestic beasts struggling for survival. Those in favor say it's for "conservation." Yeah, right. If that were the motive, then just donate the tens of thousands of dollars to the cause and NOT kill one. The dirty truth is that it's for the joy of taking a big animal and mounting the head for bragging rights and ego. A sad, sad character trait.
Hunting them is what caused the problem. Surely hunting more is not the answer. No credible conservation organization endorses these hunts over saving these animals.
And Leadcounsel is clearly not the only one on this forum or board who thinks so... I just happen to be the loudest in protest.
I don't like to complain without a solution. So here's my solution.
The US gives $12 Billion in aid to Africa annually. Make this contingent upon stiff legal penalties for any hunting or poaching. Ban all sport hunting of the big 5 or 10 animals. Exceptions to this are granted on a case by case basis and only for dangerous or nuisance or sick animals. Possession of any animal parts is severely punished with decades in prison or death. That will solve the issue and cost very little money.