Cecil’s Revenge
11.08.2015 | Cecil the Lion. Public Relations. Social Media.
- Posted by Matt Stone
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The public backlash against the trophy-hunting industry has been swift and loud after news of Cecil the lion’s death was publicised.
Pictures of U.S. dentist Walter Palmer posing proudly behind the dead lion, a favourite in the Zimbabwean national park in which it lived, have prompted uproar and condemnation on social media sites around the globe, with trending on Twitter.
Cecil the lion, one of Zimbabwe’s most well-known animals, was killed earlier this month. It is reported that Palmer paid $50,000 to shoot the animal with a bow and arrow in the country’s largest big game reserve.
Not only has Cecil’s death caused noise around the world, it has drawn attention to the controversial business that is “trophy hunting” of big game animals – some of which are endangered. The news of Cecil’s death has even resulted in his image being projected on the side of the Empire State Building.
What is interesting to see is that this social outrage has actually led to real action.
The National Geographic recently tweeted: “International outcry over ‘s death is sparking changes around the world: http://on.natgeo.com/1MNGJMf”
There have been more than a million signatures to online petitions calling for the end of legal lion hunting; airlines have been banning the transit of hunting trophies; debating has been widespread in parts of Africa and there has been increased legislative pressure in the U.S.
Cecil’s death may even affect one’s brand. The Animal Legal Defense Fund says it filed a complaint alleging that Walter Palmer brought disrepute to Minnesota’s dental profession and should have his license revoked.
Whatever your view is, Cecil the Lion didn’t necessarily die in vein, thanks to the influence of social.
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Image Credit: “Cecil the lion at Hwange National Park, 2010” by Daughter#3. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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