Over 500‚000 people protest against lion hunting

The hunt on Cecil the lion - who was wounded by a bow-and-arrow shot and not put out of his misery until 40 hours later – has generated over half a million signatures on an online petition.

The petition‚ on the community campaign website Avaaz‚ reads: “To US and EU authorities: “As concerned citizens deeply disturbed by the tragic killing of Cecil the lion‚ we urge you to act swiftly to stop the decline in lion populations across Africa. We call on you to ensure they are classified as an endangered species and ban the import of any hunting trophies that threaten the survival of these majestic animals”.

So far 549‚795 people have signed. The website aims to get one million signatures.

American dentist Walter Palmer has admitted to killing the lion on July 1 near Zimbabwe’s Hwange national park‚ but said he had hired professional local guides with the required hunting permits and believed the hunt was legal. He is believed to have paid R680‚000 for the kill. The lion was well known to visitors and said to be friendly towards people.

Hunting is a multi-million rand industry. Earlier this month‚ South African Airways did a u-turn and lifted a ban on the transportation and export of rhino‚ elephant‚ lion and tiger trophies. The ban‚ which had been imposed on April 21‚ sent the hunting industry into a tailspin amid claims the move would dent hunt-tourism in South Africa.

The European Union has banned the import of elephant trophies from Tanzania and Mozambique due to the drastic decline in elephant populations due to poaching. -RDM News Wire