Cecil the lion |
Zimbabwe's wildlife authorities have suspended the hunting of lions, leopards and elephants around the country's biggest game reserve following the killing of a much-loved lion by a US dentist.
"Hunting of lions, leopards and elephant in areas outside of Hwange National Park has been suspended with immediate effect," Edson Chidziya, head of Zimbabwe's parks and wildlife authority Zimparks, said in a statement.
The parks body also suspended hunting with bows and arrows, except with permission from the authority's head.
"All such hunts will only be conducted if confirmed and authorized in writing by the Director-General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, and only if accompanied by parks staff," Chidziya said.
The clampdown follows an international furore over the killing of Cecil the lion, a favourite with international tourists, who was shot with a bow and arrow by Walter Palmer outside Hwange park in early July.
I have to say that I think this is the most impressive demonstration of the impact of social media that I have ever seen.
I keep telling my often skeptical daughter that we can still change things if we work together and this is proof of that.
And not only is the hunting ban in place but Walter Palmer is currently still in hiding, and Zimbabwe is still working to extradite his loser ass back to Africa so that he can stand trial for the illegal hunt.
Hopefully this ban is permanent, and will be expanded, and is not just a stunt to deflect criticism until this whole thing dies down.