Cecil’s death raises $1.2m to save lions

HIS memory lives on and hopefully so will other lions after the public raised more than $1.2 million for lion conservation following the killing of Zimbabwe’s Cecil.

(FILES) - This handout picture taken on October 21, 2012 and released on July 28, 2015 by the Zimbabwe National Parks agency shows a much-loved Zimbabwean lion called "Cecil." US authorities launched an investigation on July 31, 2015 into the killing of the lion, as the American dentist who hunted the big cat remained in hiding amid mounting global outrage. Trophy hunter Walter Palmer killed Cecil the lion earlier this month after the feline was allegedly lured out of the Hwange National Park boundaries with a dead animal as bait. The professional Zimbabwean hunter who organized the hunt has been charged in Zimbabwe with "failing to prevent an illegal hunt." AFP PHOTO / ZIMBABWE NATIONAL PARKS ==RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / ZIMBABWE NATIONAL PARKS" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS==

PEOPLE moved by the killing of Zimbabwe’s beloved lion Cecil have donated more than half a million pounds ($1.2 million) in his memory towards lion conservation, the unit which spent years tracking Cecil said Tuesday.

The Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Britain’s Oxford University, which had tracked Cecil since 2008, said on Tuesday that more than 550,000 pounds had been received in donations over the past week.

WildCRU, which set up the appeal to fund future big cat research, said the amount means the unit’s work might now be extended beyond Zimbabwe.

“We will devote ourselves, supported by the incredible generosity of these donations, to working for the conservation of lions in Hwange and, with this marvellous support, the surrounding landscapes in adjoining countries,” said WildCRU’s director, Professor David Macdonald.

Tribute ... Cecil the lion from Zimbabwe, who was killed by an American dentist, is projected on the Empire State Building, in the 'Projecting Change on the Empire State Building' project. Picture: Kena Betancur

The July 1 killing of 13-year-old Cecil, a resident of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, sparked international anger against wealthy US dentist Walter Palmer, who paid $US55,000 ($75,550) for the hunt in which the lion was lured out of the park to be killed as a trophy.

The donations via WildCRU’s website will fund the training of local Zimbabwean conservationists, anti-poaching patrols, and tracking devices for the lions, which cost 1500 pounds.

“I believe that the worldwide engagement with Cecil’s story transcends the tragic fate of one lion, and sends a signal that people care about conservation and want it to be reflected in how humanity lives alongside nature in the 21st century,” said Macdonald.

“We feel inspired by this support and will work tirelessly to deliver the science and understanding that will enable wildlife and people to coexist for the wellbeing of both.”

US airlines Delta and American on Monday banned the shipment of big game trophies on flights, in the wake of outrage over the killing of Cecil.

Shot dead ... Protected lion known as Cecil strolls around in Hwange National Park, in Hwange, Zimbabwe. Picture: AP