The events that took place in January on the fringes of a remote national game sanctuary in Zimbabwe are now coming to light, resonating revulsion and protest with animal lovers and anti-hunting activists. Cecil, a lion well known locally and adored by visitors to the game preserve, was lured from the reserve by professional poachers, and then hunted with a crossbow. That weapon was fired by American dentist Walter Palmer who had paid $50,000 (Dh183,500) for the right to stalk and hunt a beast such as Cecil.
But Palmer’s shot wasn’t true, inflicting a wound that only proved mortal after some 40 hours in which the wounded and dying Cecil tried to run, hide and escape his hunters. That Cecil’s carcass was found without its pelt and head speaks of the egotistical nature of Palmer in taking his highly-prized and highly-priced trophy.
Shame on Walker for his actions. It’s hard to fathom what pleasure can be derived from hunting such an animal in such a manner. It makes us wonder if Dr Walker trained at the Dr Mengele school of dentistry?
