The way I see it, Delta Airlines is fooling people and getting free publicity. Africa is the only place I know of that you can hunt lion, elephant ect. Well guess what, Delta doesn't fly to Africa!!! Check it out, try booking a flight to Africa on Delta. You can do it but you will notice the last leg into Africa will be down by KLM. You can still transport all game on KLM.
It appears to me that Delta Airlines is just trying to get free publicity. Delta airlines doesn't even fly to Africa!! Go onto their website and try to book a reservation, when you do this you'll notice that the flight there will be on KLM, not Delta.
Even if a thing is legal, even if it has some benefit, it can still be wrong. Not everything should be "for sale," and killing animals just for the "thrill" of it is one of those that shouldn't be. For one, as many commentators have already pointed out--the conservation and "trickle down" to the local economy effect of killing safaris is questionable, at best. For another, as Harvard professor and philosopher Michael Sandel notes, "selling" the right to hunt rare animals is supporting the wrong message about how humans should value these creatures. And lastly, as author Joseph Ward Krutch states, "Killing 'for sport' is the perfect type of that pure evil for which metaphysicians have sometimes sought. Most wicked deeds are done because the doer proposes some good to himself ...[but] the killer for sport has no such comprehensible motive. He prefers death to life, darkness to light. He gets nothing except the satisfaction of saying, 'Something that wanted to live is dead. There is that much less vitality, consciousness, and, perhaps, joy in the universe. I am the spirit that denies.'" I'm happy Delta (which I flew on my own South African trip, no animals were harmed, even for meals) will no longer participate in aiding trophy hunters to transport their gruesome "takes."
1
This is important to me as someone who loves animals and is against hunting for trophies. This airline along with many others has banned these trophies from being on their flights. This shows their full support for being against what happened to Cecil the Lion. This makes it harder for people to transport these things. There is a possible chance of the amount of animal killings to decrease. These animals that are being shipped are sometimes endangered species that we need to protect from these people who just want trophies from these animals.
3
Hunting of big game "trophy" animals is just another of the myriad ways the West has devised for exploiting Africa.
8
The hallmarks of a psychopath are that he or she rarely feels fear, feels no pity or remorse, feels no guilt or shame. He (and at least 1% of psychopaths are male while at least 0.5% are female) also needs to engage in constant risky behaviour in order to feel the high level of excitation he craves in order to feel alive.
Psychopaths are easily bored. Psychopaths tend to break the rules and to lie whenever they think they can away with it, partly because this may cause the thrill they constantly seek. Psychopaths, especially the most intelligent psychopaths, are good at mimicking empathy and dissimulating. Psychopaths are often skilled at pulling the wool over the eyes of even the most experienced forensic psychiatrists, police officers, prison staff, judges and people they know well.
There is no cure or effective treatment. Psychopathy is usually fixed by the age of two. Psychopaths are found everywhere, not only within the prison system. Ask yourself this: do you really want to be treated by a doctor or a dentist who is a psychopath?
Psychopaths are easily bored. Psychopaths tend to break the rules and to lie whenever they think they can away with it, partly because this may cause the thrill they constantly seek. Psychopaths, especially the most intelligent psychopaths, are good at mimicking empathy and dissimulating. Psychopaths are often skilled at pulling the wool over the eyes of even the most experienced forensic psychiatrists, police officers, prison staff, judges and people they know well.
There is no cure or effective treatment. Psychopathy is usually fixed by the age of two. Psychopaths are found everywhere, not only within the prison system. Ask yourself this: do you really want to be treated by a doctor or a dentist who is a psychopath?
8
These trophy hunters are probably very perplexed at and annoyed by all this negative attention. Poachers (unlike trophy hunters) know that they are criminals and try hard to hide, avoid exposure and punishment -- no telltale photos of the arrogant great white hunter posed with the kill. On the other hand, trophy hunters like Bwana Palmer see only that their 'rights and privileges' are being questioned and criticized by conservationists and other peasants. Repeatedly we hear them say that the hunt was perfectly legal and all required paperwork was in order. That their trophy hunts (legal or not) further deplete already endangered species and upsets the ecology means nothing to them. They are clearly without morality. I am delighted that their privileged sport of choice is being exposed, criticized and demeaned around the world thanks to social media. Public humiliation can be a powerful behavior modifier, especially for those who fear devaluation of their image in the community. I wonder if Bwana Palmer hangs his trophy heads in his dentistry office --after cleaning their teeth of course.
12
Hoorah for all those airlines that has implemented this ban. There is no reason for this type of senseless killing just to boost someone's ego. I truly hope all airlines take on this ban. We need to protect these animals before the only place you can view one is in a book.
8
Should we ask the airline for all the $ back from all the hunters that have gone over there to legally take a creature from there that the people over there respect the $ that is given to them and their communities to help them in their very difficult lives?!?!
Reuters reported that Cecil's death went largely unnoticed in the animal's native Zimbabwe. The country's The Chronicle newspaper published: "It is not an overstatement that almost 99,99 percent of Zimbabweans didn’t know about this animal until Monday. Now we have just learnt, thanks to the British media, that we had Africa’s most famous lion all along, an icon!" The BBC's Farai Sevenzo wrote: "The lion's death has not registered much with the locals".
The public's "knee-jerk" reaction over Cecil the lion could result in the destruction of wildlife habitats across huge parts of Africa, according to a photographic safari guide.
Russell Gammon said hunting for sport was a "bittersweet pill that we have to swallow" because of the revenues it distributed to conservation efforts.
"The act of hunting of animals themselves is not beneficial to conservation, the money that is accrued from hunting is what is beneficial to conservation," he told NBC News on Sunday.
"My big fear is if we have a knee-jerk reaction to this incident and we ban hunting outright," he said. "I can tell you for a fact that there are huge swaths of Africa that are currently being devoted to wildlife that will very, very quickly be overrun by people and cattle, and in the end the wildlife is the loser."
The public's "knee-jerk" reaction over Cecil the lion could result in the destruction of wildlife habitats across huge parts of Africa, according to a photographic safari guide.
Russell Gammon said hunting for sport was a "bittersweet pill that we have to swallow" because of the revenues it distributed to conservation efforts.
"The act of hunting of animals themselves is not beneficial to conservation, the money that is accrued from hunting is what is beneficial to conservation," he told NBC News on Sunday.
"My big fear is if we have a knee-jerk reaction to this incident and we ban hunting outright," he said. "I can tell you for a fact that there are huge swaths of Africa that are currently being devoted to wildlife that will very, very quickly be overrun by people and cattle, and in the end the wildlife is the loser."
2
What wrong with hunting? Hunting have existed on this planet ever since one single-celled organism decided to eat another single-celled organism 3.5 billion years ago. As long as lion's number aren't decreasing and their lifestyle sustainable, I don't see anything wrong with human killing a few for food, leather, bones, bragging right as long as those hunters pay the required fees that's used to manage the animals. There is no moral outage here... it is not like human only kill animals and not other human.
For those bleeding heart nuts, go to Tibet and Sichuan and help those orthodox Buddhists digging up crustaceans from river mud to saving them from seasonal drought. All animal lives are equal right so why not saving all those numerous endangered shrimps and get some karma.
For those bleeding heart nuts, go to Tibet and Sichuan and help those orthodox Buddhists digging up crustaceans from river mud to saving them from seasonal drought. All animal lives are equal right so why not saving all those numerous endangered shrimps and get some karma.
1
Have you heard about the Endangered Species Act? It was created largely as a result of the animal extinction caused by hunting. Hunters continue to kill endangered animals or those on the brink of endangerment, sometimes because they are unable to properly identify exactly which species of animal they are killing. Contrary to their claims, hunters do not kill animals that would otherwise starve to death. Instead, they hunt either at random or by focusing on killing those animals with the biggest antlers, i.e. those that would make the best “trophies.” In doing so, they kill the strongest members of the population, thereby interfering with natural selection and weakening the population as a whole.
8
Lions as a whole are not endangered, and it is legal to hunt them in Zimbabwe. The question here is that this lion was hunted in an illegal manner - the farmer didn't have a lion on his quota of animals for hunt.
But really, the issue in Zimbabwe is that the government is embarrassed now by the backlash, and it needs to be seen "taking action" so as not to lose face.
But really, the issue in Zimbabwe is that the government is embarrassed now by the backlash, and it needs to be seen "taking action" so as not to lose face.
3
Lions aren't endangered?
Lions could be extinct by the year 2050:
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/african-lions-f...
Lions could be extinct by the year 2050:
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/african-lions-f...
1
Check Safari Club International's website!
They are saying that South African Airways LIFTED its trophy cargo embargo effective 7/22/2015...
They are saying that South African Airways LIFTED its trophy cargo embargo effective 7/22/2015...
4
Apparently S.African Airways wants to soak up all those businesses discarded by other airlines for having a conscience. Shame on it.
5
No matter how one spins it, taking another life as trophy is barbaric and inhumane. I'm thus glad that this dentist gets what he deserves, no matter how much money he has. He should deservedly go into hiding as others hunt him down, much as he did before he took Cecil's life.
As the head of two prides, the killing of Cecil would put those two prides in peril. The killing was so very unnecessary.
As the head of two prides, the killing of Cecil would put those two prides in peril. The killing was so very unnecessary.
13
Then you don't know much about hunting. For some populations, without human hunting the population would soar to untenable levels for the environment - leading to starvation and disease among the animals. The biggest problem of that is deer in the U.S., where humans removed the other natural predators. So please, before posting an ignorant generalization, do your research. Maybe talk to a representative from a conservation department. Definitely get out of your coddled east coast shell.
2
Well, I'm not too worried about the lion population soaring to "untenable levels" without human hunting. We do however need to worry about the human population's size and growth.
3
@CSO, oh please, spare me the pontification that animal population like the lions in Africa need human hunting (more like poaching) in order to control the growth. Life on the savannah is tough enough for all the animals to survive, constantly amongst each other, not to mention the encroachment of humans on their habitat.
Besides, hunting for survival is one thing, trophy hunting like this dentist did is a totally different category. Your argument is so very weak, but I'm sure you must have been preaching for NRA with that kind of weak arguments that you've come to believe in the lies.
Besides, hunting for survival is one thing, trophy hunting like this dentist did is a totally different category. Your argument is so very weak, but I'm sure you must have been preaching for NRA with that kind of weak arguments that you've come to believe in the lies.
1
On a day to day basis things happen in the world and go unnoticed or in some cases just choose to be ignored because they are to devastating to indulge in. However, when something happens to someone famous the media explodes and people post their strong opinions on the matter. It’s heartbreaking to know that before Cecil the lion was killed airlines like Delta, Air France, Singapore, and many more were allowing the transportation of killed animals and only now people begin to realize that these actions aren't humane. Even though thousands of people go hunting every year specifically in Africa and hundreds of thousands of animals are killed each year bringing in millions of dollars for the hunting industry, it is only now that after a famous lion is killed that people begin to take a stand. Without the outrage a lot of people took to social media many probably would have never even heard about Cecil the lion. Social media, for some, proves to be their go to for important news. I find it interesting how blind some people are to the world around them. The hunting industry in Africa has been around far longer than Cecil the lion yet only now people are beginning to look farther into it. No severe measures have been taken to stop this number from dropping until recently, when Cecil the lion was killed by the American dentist Walter Palmer, where airlines across the globe have decided to end the hunted animals’ transportation.
3
For most people, hunting (particularly those under the guise of legal means and permitting) is one of the furthest things they would be concerned about on a daily basis. It's indeed sad to see a magnificent animal like Cecil to be killed, but the silver lining is that his brutal death has brought about the wrath of social media and the mass, so that the issue can come to light.
5
Not a big move, the hunting trophies are a microscopic part of their air cargo business. Trophies will fly to Mexico or reach US on a cargo ship.
2
HUGE EGO The dentist who slaughtered Cecil the Lion seems to have a grandiose sense of entitlement in expecting to be admired for killing a member of an endangered species. Then to add insult to injury, he expects the airlines to do his dirty work of transporting his nauseating "trophy" back home so he can show off. Maybe it's legal for him to engage in such selfish, infantile behaviors. But those of us who have more regard for wildlife need not stand by idly nor silently. I'm sure the dentist will find some way to get his slaughtered beast back home. While he's entitled to his toys, he's certainly not entitled to general approbation or public acceptance.
10
I hope you are not sitting on your leather office chair typing on a fossil fuel powered computer when you express outrage at human killing animals.
And no, African lion is vulnerable, not endangered.
And no, African lion is vulnerable, not endangered.
1
Trophy hunting is a little different. no? His hypothetical leather chair is from animals raised for their meat with their skins a byproduct. If you eat meat, hunting prey animals for skins or meat when there's an abundant supply is one thing. Hunting less populous predators in order to hang a head on your wall is another--not generally admired, apparently.
Not sure what the computer use has to do with anything here.
Not sure what the computer use has to do with anything here.
1
next to transporting it to this country is, to make it illegal, to import those items.
for American citizens they should make illegal to hunt those animals
at home and abroad.
To the dentist with his over sized ego, I hope, they boycott his dental office.
Or maybe he will come to his senses and donate some of his money to
protect wild life. In Africa, for example, where it is really necessary.
for American citizens they should make illegal to hunt those animals
at home and abroad.
To the dentist with his over sized ego, I hope, they boycott his dental office.
Or maybe he will come to his senses and donate some of his money to
protect wild life. In Africa, for example, where it is really necessary.
7
I'm grateful that Cecil's senseless slaughter at the hands of a grinning, rich sociopath has ignited global outrage & interest in this horrible practice.
I remember seeing images of elephants with their faces chainsawed off for ivory in the early 1990s on the cover of Time.
I wish only that there had been a mechanism present- an app? a browser extension? to "harvest" a quarter or a dollar from every person who posted about Cecil to social media or engaged in this process- that would have generated a HUGE amount of money for conservation- perhaps for land trust purchases & to maybe create photography bootcamp or arts/eco-tourism outfits that train & employ locals (especially in management) to really support the efforts that have already been made. Imagine if we'd have been able, at the end of this, to say- Whoa. There's 50 MILLION dollars available to groups that are aligning human economic & wild animal population needs... Another driving factor are the many folk beliefs in the Far East concerning ingestion of animal organs & parts for usually alleged aphrodisiac qualities.
The ReWilding movement is absolutely one of my favorite things on earth. I can't put myself in the shoes of a trophy hunter, I'd much prefer the thrill of witnessing a great beast were I ever to be so lucky, through a camera lens.
We should use trophy hunter psychological profiles to hunt down & identify sociopaths & psychopaths in our midst. They're the ones who should be wearing collars.
I remember seeing images of elephants with their faces chainsawed off for ivory in the early 1990s on the cover of Time.
I wish only that there had been a mechanism present- an app? a browser extension? to "harvest" a quarter or a dollar from every person who posted about Cecil to social media or engaged in this process- that would have generated a HUGE amount of money for conservation- perhaps for land trust purchases & to maybe create photography bootcamp or arts/eco-tourism outfits that train & employ locals (especially in management) to really support the efforts that have already been made. Imagine if we'd have been able, at the end of this, to say- Whoa. There's 50 MILLION dollars available to groups that are aligning human economic & wild animal population needs... Another driving factor are the many folk beliefs in the Far East concerning ingestion of animal organs & parts for usually alleged aphrodisiac qualities.
The ReWilding movement is absolutely one of my favorite things on earth. I can't put myself in the shoes of a trophy hunter, I'd much prefer the thrill of witnessing a great beast were I ever to be so lucky, through a camera lens.
We should use trophy hunter psychological profiles to hunt down & identify sociopaths & psychopaths in our midst. They're the ones who should be wearing collars.
7
I too relish the opportunity to get lost in the natural beauty of our wonderful planet earth that God has created and put us all on. Where I differ from you is that I feel it is man kinds responsibility to properly manage all of our renewable resources. This includes all wildlife. Management includes providing for habitat protection. You do this best by studying each and every creature, and their habitat, and harvesting the animals as necessary to prevent overpopulation. This has always been best accomplished by providing for a hunting season. As a hunter, I can tell you that there is a tremendous emotional connection to the game being hunted. A huge respect for the wonder of nature, and a love and adoration of our God who created this beautiful earth and all it's creatures.
1
PabloCruz, wildlife is not a "renewable" resource for you to manage, nature takes care of population control just fine without human interference. There is no "god" to have put humans in charge either - that's another fallacy and a delusion used by those who want to do as they please and justify it in the name of some ancient superstition.
4
Hello Mr. Magoo. Thanks for your reply. You and I will never agree on this issue, but I'd have you go ahead and check out the wording of the law in every State in the Union, as well as the Federal Government, and that of any other government on the planet. They clearly define game animals (wildlife) as a resource, and mankind has been managing it since the beginning of time. Sometimes to extinction, oftentimes to overpopulation, sometimes to breed improvement. Life is short. I'm middle aged, and it seems like only yesterday that I was a kid running around in the country, gaining a love and appreciation of nature, and the life around me. I'll go on living under the "fallacy" of God, my creator, and when my life is finished, if I am wrong, well....I can say that I live a good, moral, upstanding life by the principals set forth in the word of God. When your life is over, if you are wrong, well.....you get to burn in hell. Good luck with that Brother.
China would continue to undermine any gains made unless something is done to curb their voracious appetite for this barbaric activity.
14
If I owned a rifle, and a smartphone, I would post a selfie with MY trophy: the enormous, blood thirsty mosquito I just killed almost barehanded. I used a copy of Julio Cortazar’s “The secret weapons”. Smashing!
7
Make a person an outlaw killing for trophies. Make a law that killing an animal for that reason, is punished by the same as killing a human being. Make it murder. Because Lions or other animals will not be roaming the prairies for long, because they will be gone and extinct. They are endangered species and deserve to be treated as the same as us. They have the right to survive and to live in this world. Soft laws won´t stop hunters, but being charged as a animal killer and brought to trial for it will make a real difference. Killing an animal like that would be spend some real time in jail, no bail, as killing a person.
4
A lion is a large animal. How does it get through US customs?
A lion is a regal animal (as are other animals that are hunted by selfish, thoughtless people). After having seen them in the wild it is truly amazing that anyone could even consider killing one.
A lion is a regal animal (as are other animals that are hunted by selfish, thoughtless people). After having seen them in the wild it is truly amazing that anyone could even consider killing one.
4
That is what I would like to know. How does it get thru customs? You can't bring a ham sandwich with you...how do you manage to bring in the head of a beautiful majestic lion? Just ship it in your luggage? And, that's OK?
3
I hope the US allows the extradition of this dentist to Zimbabwe. We will see how well this dentist enjoys being caged in a Zimbabwean prison. The lion he killed was "caged" by the people the dentist hired to track the lion.
9
Where is Cecil's head now? Has this been reported? Does anyone know?
3
Yes. It was taken to the home of the so-called professional guide who led the hunt to dry, cure and for taxidermy, then was to be sent to the dentist in Minnesota.
However, after the uproar, and in hopes of saving his sorry rear, the head and skin were turned over to Zimbabwean police. Presumably, Cecil's head and skin are being saved for use as evidence against his murderers.
However, after the uproar, and in hopes of saving his sorry rear, the head and skin were turned over to Zimbabwean police. Presumably, Cecil's head and skin are being saved for use as evidence against his murderers.
4
Any person who has to kill an defenseless animal for sport then smiles for the camera is missing vast quantities of common sense and brain cells.
The best thing to happen to these business owners/doctors is to have them go bankrupt, their patients should leave en masse. NO more patients no more money to spend on senseless killings.
The best thing to happen to these business owners/doctors is to have them go bankrupt, their patients should leave en masse. NO more patients no more money to spend on senseless killings.
10
The only way this is ever going to change in Africa is when the economic factor is gone. I've heard of painting the black rhino horn red so that it's no longer valuable. The tourist industry that sponsors safaris to drive through and "look" and take photos needs to be encouraged and better sponsored. With the eventual extinction of these beautiful animals this industry is gone. I'm sorry that a price tag has to be placed of these animals, but this is unfortunately what we are up against. We need to think on these realistic terms to really come up with a solution. These people will not change!
8
I'm guessing that the last animal/prey Cecil ran down and shredded to ribbons is feeling karmic justice right about now. I mean, really folks, how about this much attention for that homeless person who gets casually side-stepped?
2
Don't switch up the argument against trophy hunting, which doesn't feed anyone except the warped ego of a wealthy man. It has no redeeming qualities at all. Animals hunt to live - they are part of the natural cycle. Trophy hunting is not natural, or right.
12
Thanks for your response, Peter.
4
Way to go Delta. This type of hunting is repulsive and I am ashamed this particular dentist is from Minnesota. I hope he is severely punished.
9
Glad to see that finally signing these petitions has had an effect.
5
There are so few of these animals left. Regardless of the fact that they are being winnowed out by multiple reasons that are difficult to control-- environmental, loss of habitat, possibly native customs, there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to add to this decimation by killing them for sport and ego as trophies. It is disgraceful that Americans lead the pack. It is uncivilized. Money doesn't make up for it. Just because someone hypocritically donates funds to wildlife doesn't mean that they are exempt from behaving in a civilized manner, respectful of endangered wildlife.
10
If only you would feel so strongly about the harvesting of precious babies from the womb for the sale of their body parts. But then again....from your perspective.....we humans are far to great in number.....and need culling. Am I right?
I understand hunting for food or to thin a herd etc. However, hunting for "sport" has always seemed like a sign of a twisted mind to me.
Think of the things you can do on a typical weekend: some people go hiking, some people go to the movies, some people work in their garden and..............some wake up and say plan to go terrorize, torture, maim and kill other living beings. FOR FUN. Deranged.
I wonder if we permit this so that these people can fulfil their need for this violence on animals and not human beings.
Think of the things you can do on a typical weekend: some people go hiking, some people go to the movies, some people work in their garden and..............some wake up and say plan to go terrorize, torture, maim and kill other living beings. FOR FUN. Deranged.
I wonder if we permit this so that these people can fulfil their need for this violence on animals and not human beings.
6
Please, people, look closely, look further, follow the money. For trophy hunting, $675 million to South Africa alone? Conservation funds raised by fees collected for trophy hunting? We have here yet another example of Western exploitation of Africa's natural wealth. Let us remember the Nigerian government-sanctioned murder of the environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa, authorized by Shell to protect the oil they extract from that country. Consider diamond mines. Consider gold mines. Consider the working conditions of the miners. And of course, consider centuries of wealth garnered through the enslavement of African people.
9
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Cape Town, South Africa
South African Airways has back pedaled on its three month old ban on the transportation of rhino, elephant, lion and tiger hunting trophies, quietly announcing on a “need to know” basis that they were back in business to handle the gory cargo
Cape Town, South Africa
South African Airways has back pedaled on its three month old ban on the transportation of rhino, elephant, lion and tiger hunting trophies, quietly announcing on a “need to know” basis that they were back in business to handle the gory cargo
5
Bravo to the airlines refusing to transport carcasses, body parts or heads of animals murdered by cowardly ammosexuals, for this tiny step toward protecting wildlife.
Some think the best we can do is give money to the wildlife or animal protection organizations or to pressure lawmakers to change laws. This we must do, but it is not enough. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) has been in effect since 1975, yet animal numbers continue to plummet. Money sent to animal groups often ends up supporting bureaucracies and humans. Why was no animal protection group there in Zimbabwe protecting Cecil?
Reality: It is endgame time for wildlife. Lion numbers are down the last 50 years from 410,000 to 30,000 individuals. Humans number 7+ billion.
If you want to keep lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras and the web of wildlife from extinction, you and I must do more. We must act. Take responsibility. Protest. Demonstrate. Write. Work. Create. Join with other wildlife defenders. Go to Africa. Stand in front of the guns. Let the hunters and poachers find no peace. Protect habitat. Help Africans restore and protect their land. Do what it takes. Read Ed Abbey, Bob Chorush, Derrick Jensen. Put knowledge into action. Act knowing that wild lives depend on you and survival is at stake.
"Change only takes place through action. The more you are motivated by Love, the more fearless and free your action will be." -- Dalai Lama
Act now. End the slaughter.
Some think the best we can do is give money to the wildlife or animal protection organizations or to pressure lawmakers to change laws. This we must do, but it is not enough. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) has been in effect since 1975, yet animal numbers continue to plummet. Money sent to animal groups often ends up supporting bureaucracies and humans. Why was no animal protection group there in Zimbabwe protecting Cecil?
Reality: It is endgame time for wildlife. Lion numbers are down the last 50 years from 410,000 to 30,000 individuals. Humans number 7+ billion.
If you want to keep lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras and the web of wildlife from extinction, you and I must do more. We must act. Take responsibility. Protest. Demonstrate. Write. Work. Create. Join with other wildlife defenders. Go to Africa. Stand in front of the guns. Let the hunters and poachers find no peace. Protect habitat. Help Africans restore and protect their land. Do what it takes. Read Ed Abbey, Bob Chorush, Derrick Jensen. Put knowledge into action. Act knowing that wild lives depend on you and survival is at stake.
"Change only takes place through action. The more you are motivated by Love, the more fearless and free your action will be." -- Dalai Lama
Act now. End the slaughter.
3
Most cargo of this type is freighted. Without Fedex, UPS, DHL and others little nothing be achieved.
Even if all aircraft refused to carry butchered wildlife, ships would happily take over. You can be sure the bold hunter won't let logistics stand in the way of his/her $50,000 self glorification.
A ban on importing might help a little, but only sustained social pressure will change this.
Even if all aircraft refused to carry butchered wildlife, ships would happily take over. You can be sure the bold hunter won't let logistics stand in the way of his/her $50,000 self glorification.
A ban on importing might help a little, but only sustained social pressure will change this.
6
Kudos to Delta!!! I'll try to think good thoughts next time I'm in a cramped seat with the guy in front pushing his seat back.
3
Since most of these blood-thirsty people are US citizens, how about making the import of animal "trophies" to the US illegal? That ought to put a dent in it.
8
So what do people do with these carcasses they bring home. Mount them for their dental offices?
3
Come on United and Qatar, it's your turn to do the right thing if you haven't already. And it's time for a policy to extradite Americans who illegally hunt big game overseas.
7
Question, why are most of these killers American? What is it about the American psyche and culture that produces people willing to travel half way round the world to kill and behead a majestic male lion? I'm genuinely curious. Is there a need to dominate? Perhaps a psychologist could venture an opinion.
6
I've seen the numbers. It's probably more a function of discretionary income than something in our psyche.
The vast majority of us are really good people. Most in America disapprove of what Palmer did/does "legal" or not. It's brought liberals and conservatives together.
And imagine, for a second, what the world would have been like if there were never a United States of America. Nasty, brutish & short?
The vast majority of us are really good people. Most in America disapprove of what Palmer did/does "legal" or not. It's brought liberals and conservatives together.
And imagine, for a second, what the world would have been like if there were never a United States of America. Nasty, brutish & short?
2
Finally! I am not against hunting provided it is a method of getting food on the table, but hunting just to have the skin of a lion or some other brag-worthy animal on the wall is reprehensible. As some commentors have already written, it is the filthy rich who can indulge in this kind of one-upmanship among their peers. If people need to hunt, there are plenty of feral pigs (already mentioned), moose and bear (within limits) that can be hunted. You can even hang their heads on your walls and make up stories about how dangerous it was to bag that bear who was eying you fiercely, or the moose who was ferociously eating a couple of shoots. The real upside of it is that you will have excellent meat for your freezer, and not leave a heap of it rotting out on some savanna.
1
Any hunter should be allowed to bring home any animal trophy, so long as he kills the fierce beast on equal terms; no guns allowed, just teeth and claws/fingers. Wouldn't that be the definition of fair game? Hunter wins, he gets to take the dead lion home. Lion wins, same deal.
7
There have been about a half dozen articles on Cecil The Lion in the NYT but this is the first to allow comments. I find that strange and wonder why.
And this article - about Delta's new policy - is collateral to the main issue. If one can spend tens of thousands of dollars to hunt big game in exotic places, one can surely afford to rent a private cargo plane to bring back the trophy. Delta's policy will have no impact.
As to the main issue, I was heart broken to have read about Cecil's death and the cowardly brutal manner it came to him. Whether or not Palmer broke the law is irrelevant to me. The act is immoral. But perhaps he did break the law. Didn't the men try to destroy the lion's tracking collar when they discovered he was wearing it? Shouldn't Palmer have reported this fact immediately to the authorities, rather than be a possible accessory after the fact?
And yes, I mourn the senseless death of people here in the U.S. - including black on black shootings in the inner city. Shootings that don't seem to be on the liberal agenda. And I mourn the death and rape of little children at the hands of Muslim fanatics. These atrocities aren't covered nearly enough. Again, they don't fit the liberal agenda about the underlying cause -a religion other tha Christianity.
This notion that one can't be concerned about a lion and people is a false dichotomy, which is the staple of small minds.
Check out Panthers.com and donate if you want to help these beautiful animals.
And this article - about Delta's new policy - is collateral to the main issue. If one can spend tens of thousands of dollars to hunt big game in exotic places, one can surely afford to rent a private cargo plane to bring back the trophy. Delta's policy will have no impact.
As to the main issue, I was heart broken to have read about Cecil's death and the cowardly brutal manner it came to him. Whether or not Palmer broke the law is irrelevant to me. The act is immoral. But perhaps he did break the law. Didn't the men try to destroy the lion's tracking collar when they discovered he was wearing it? Shouldn't Palmer have reported this fact immediately to the authorities, rather than be a possible accessory after the fact?
And yes, I mourn the senseless death of people here in the U.S. - including black on black shootings in the inner city. Shootings that don't seem to be on the liberal agenda. And I mourn the death and rape of little children at the hands of Muslim fanatics. These atrocities aren't covered nearly enough. Again, they don't fit the liberal agenda about the underlying cause -a religion other tha Christianity.
This notion that one can't be concerned about a lion and people is a false dichotomy, which is the staple of small minds.
Check out Panthers.com and donate if you want to help these beautiful animals.
8
Panthera.com. Darn you auto correct!
Most if not all of the donations go directly to the cause. The wonderful man who founded it covers the indirect costs.
Most if not all of the donations go directly to the cause. The wonderful man who founded it covers the indirect costs.
2
Unfortunately the person who can spend $50K on a hunt can probably afford the price of private jet transportation of the "trophy".
We should be banning the importation of "trophies" of endangered species.
We should be banning the importation of "trophies" of endangered species.
23
this lion was not an endangered species. Neither are most big cats except some tigers. And your right. I will just pay a private company. Endangered species are already illegal to hunt and import. NOT THIS LION. It was just another lion. Except some tool decided to give it a name.
1
They already are.
The fact that some people can afford $100,000 hunting trips tells us that the very rich can well afford to pay a lot more in taxes. How about we impost a $300,000 tax on animal trophies? Followed up with 20 years in jail for a second one!
54
Your right. It is about control. I only want Government on my terms. Oh yeah!
Wow -- hats off to Delta for joining the crowd at the end of the parade.
Would have been a lot nicer if they'd demonstrated some leadership. Any company can be a follower after public opinion has already shifted.
Spineless.
Would have been a lot nicer if they'd demonstrated some leadership. Any company can be a follower after public opinion has already shifted.
Spineless.
27
Here is a reminder: In Texas and elsewhere, there are millions of dangerous and destructive feral wild pigs. Right here in the Unites States, a person can test their skills at tracking and killing animals that they then could actually eat, feed hungry people, and benefit the environment at the same time.
39
While this is wonderful news and a very promising start, it's still not nearly enough. All airlines need to ban the import of animal trophies and regulations need to be stronger. Trophy hunting = poaching.
20
As someone who has hunted off and on throughout their life, I am conflicted about trophy hunting (though I condemn completely how the hunt in question was conducted, as I do the killing of "Cecil"). It does support conservation efforts, but it also *at times* attracts the type of person who most true hunters deplore - someone more concerned about sticking a head on their wall than fair chase, a clean, honorable kill, and an end to the animal's life that celebrates it rather than demeans it. But for you to equate all trophy hunting with poaching is ignorant, and factually incorrect. You obviously have never hunted, and you ought to learn a little bit about it before you brand all hunters as criminals. And if you're not a vegetarian, then you're also a complete hypocrite for criticizing hunting at all.
I think these African countries need to ban the big game hunting outright and the U.S. should simply ban the import of all these "trophies." It's a disgrace and an embarrassment that Americans make up the bulk of these hunters. The only reason these hunters are doing this is for a cheap thrill or because they can sell the trophies. It makes me sick. Why not have an international treaty banning this hunting altogether. The U.S. and animal rights organizations could help finance the enforcement costs for the African countries. And the sicko dentist who killed Cecil claims he didn't know Cecil was collared - like he couldn't see the collar until after he had beheaded and skinned Cecil? This needs to stop.
32
Well said, Donna.
Apologies if this has been stated elsewhere, because this seems so incredibly obvious to me, but if these hunters really felt that they were ACTUALLY contributing to the preservation of these animals, how about they donate their $50,000 to the conservation agencies? It seems that being +1 more lion/rhino/etc plus the $50,000 is better than being -1 animal and the $50,000.
And I read elsewhere that they believe the meat is important to feeding the local communities. Great, perhaps they could arrange to donate meat and other food to the local people.
The true test of whether these hunters truly believe they are ultimately contributing to the welfare of the animals and the local people is if they would donate money without getting their "thrill" kills. Otherwise, their narcissism is as plainly obvious as the dead animal they are posing next to.
And I read elsewhere that they believe the meat is important to feeding the local communities. Great, perhaps they could arrange to donate meat and other food to the local people.
The true test of whether these hunters truly believe they are ultimately contributing to the welfare of the animals and the local people is if they would donate money without getting their "thrill" kills. Otherwise, their narcissism is as plainly obvious as the dead animal they are posing next to.
31
Great comment. Let's stop referring to this as hunting. The methods used by the dentist -hunter do not imply that skill is required just a twisted mind.
1
Delta should also ban carrying the hunters equipment. I have been going to South Africa twice a year for ten years and see passengers checking in their locked rifle cases. I applaud Delta but they must follow all the way or else its pointless!
53
Because there would be a backlash from gun owners in this country. They won't do it.
I didn't even know you could check a gun. What if the thing goes off in the air?
1
There are more recent incidents, too. Last month, it was confirmed that 34 young elephants, seven lions and 10 sable antelopes had been captured in Hwange to be sent to China, likely destined for terrible circumstances. And on Monday night, when news of Cecil's killing was top-of-mind for many around the world, five elephants were killed in Kenya's Tsavo West National Park.
http://mashable.com/2015/08/01/poaching-conservation-parks/
http://mashable.com/2015/08/01/poaching-conservation-parks/
32
Stop hunting animals that are greater than you are. I can say that and mean that. Those animals do exactly what nature intended them to do and you, Mr. Big game trophy seeker do this because of some twisted missing part of your character that needs to destroy and claim to feel good. That's wrong and it's not natural. It's that simple. Stop hunting these magnificent animals. You will not be remembered but those animals will be sorely missed. Just stop.
44
It's pathetic and really makes my blood boil how animals' lives are always talked of in terms of such rich expressions as 'revenue', ''tourism', etc. Who are we to monetize their lives? Hunting of any kind should be punishable by death. I'm veggie, and I hope this is only the first step towards ending the tyranny of humans over voiceless, suffering animals.
38
You are so right. Thank you for saying this.
14
"Hunting of any kind should be punishable by death."
Now that's rich. You care for animals as the same time that you advocate capital punishment for humans.
Now that's rich. You care for animals as the same time that you advocate capital punishment for humans.
5
Just look at Cecil's teeth! Thanks to the depraved dentist, those amazing canines will never tear red meat again.
7
All of this talk is cheap. How many good people are actually doing something about this tragedy? The best thing we can do is to donate money to reputable organizations that attempt to control inhumane treatment of wildlife. There are many of them out there. Cecil made the ultimate sacrifice and greatly suffered doing so. Don't let his death be forgotten.
25
Well I guess this is a market based solution so maybe even free market types can sign on. I certainly hope so. Imagine 100 years from now if the only evidence of the African Lion is somewhat ratty stuffed heads stored in basements, or possibly a few refugees still surviving in zoos.
I'm not against all hunting. But I'm pretty repulsed when I hear of some businessman riding a golf cart out to some meadow to gun down a tethered deer. (Only slight hyperbole.) I guess I thought/hoped slaughtering big game was something out of the 40's or 50's. They weren't endangered then.
Hopefully widespread disapproval can rid the world of these guys before they get rid of the animals that most people love.
I'm not against all hunting. But I'm pretty repulsed when I hear of some businessman riding a golf cart out to some meadow to gun down a tethered deer. (Only slight hyperbole.) I guess I thought/hoped slaughtering big game was something out of the 40's or 50's. They weren't endangered then.
Hopefully widespread disapproval can rid the world of these guys before they get rid of the animals that most people love.
24
You think those guys take commercial airlines? I doubt it. They have their own, or rent them.
11
Delta has joined because they are part of the KLM-Air France "Skyteam." Bravo to all...and may many others join as quckly as possible. On another note, how are countries like Zimbabwe thinking they will have any international tourism revenue at all, once their big game populations are gone?
14
Eco-tourism results in ten times more revenue to Zimbabwe than it makes from selling licenses to kill wildlife.
Zimbabwe is already losing tourism, as people who planned to see Cecil are cancelling their trips.
The African nations that allow or encourage the slaughter of wildlife would do best to understand that there are far more people interested in seeing protected wildlife and wilderness than there are in slaughtering the rest of the world's wildlife and megafauna. These so-called trophy hunters are a minority, a twisted pathological murderous minority without the human qualities of empathy, compassion or the desire to preserve wilderness and wildlife for the future.
Zimbabwe is already losing tourism, as people who planned to see Cecil are cancelling their trips.
The African nations that allow or encourage the slaughter of wildlife would do best to understand that there are far more people interested in seeing protected wildlife and wilderness than there are in slaughtering the rest of the world's wildlife and megafauna. These so-called trophy hunters are a minority, a twisted pathological murderous minority without the human qualities of empathy, compassion or the desire to preserve wilderness and wildlife for the future.
12
Handgun slaughter continues unabated in the US, but our country is up in arms about a dead lion in Africa. Unbelievable!
5
I'm outraged by both. Entirely possible.
41
There's no shortage of humans.
12
How can it be legal for a common carrier to refuse lawful cargo, whatever the PR issues?
Laws dating back to the 19th century prohibit railroads, for example, from discriminating regarding lawful cargo. Before that, the railroads could destroy "unfriendly" farmers and merchants by refusing their cargo.
Thus BNSF must carry oil and coal regardless of enviro-political pressures, for example. The idea of letting common-carriers do this is a dangerous one, whatever the passions of the moment.
Laws dating back to the 19th century prohibit railroads, for example, from discriminating regarding lawful cargo. Before that, the railroads could destroy "unfriendly" farmers and merchants by refusing their cargo.
Thus BNSF must carry oil and coal regardless of enviro-political pressures, for example. The idea of letting common-carriers do this is a dangerous one, whatever the passions of the moment.
4
If airlines can refuse to carry a passenger, why can't they refuse to carry cargo? Especially since the origination point is a foreign country where US laws are not applicable.
11
Trophy hunting should become tied to US aide. Pressure countries to withdraw hunting permits and ban foreigners from carrying guns, bows and other hunting paraphernalia. You want to hunt? Bring a camera.
32
Delta is always late to the party. Profit first, ethics last.
14
Don't forget Delta is an airline that for many years was a regional airline that started in and served the deep South.
Congratulations Delta Air Lines! May many follow your lead!!! Thank you!!!
6
Good for Delta. Now can they ban a la cart pricing?
3
What they should do is ban carrying hunting gear period.
20
The whole practice of trophy hunting is sick. The people who find it "fun" to go stalk and kill an animal just to show off have some serious issues. It's a deep desire to kill that is played out on defenseless animals. Just like certain pornography allows people to live out depraved fantasies. I also don't want to hear the garbage that the revenue helps conserve the animals. If these "hunters" wanted to help they would donate the money. That's like the people involved in child porn saying they use the money to help children. Yes I know one is legal and the other illegal - but it's stupid to allow this.
58
Well said. I couldn't have put it better
10
I also thank the airlines that are refusing to transport animal trophies as cargo and agree that the other carriers should follow their lead.
Why doesn't the US ban the import of animal trophies, confiscate them at customs and fine the individuals attempting to bring them in?
Why doesn't the US ban the import of animal trophies, confiscate them at customs and fine the individuals attempting to bring them in?
79
Four U.S. senators plan to introduce a bill that would extend import and export restrictions on animal trophies for any species proposed for listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act — not just animals that have been officially listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. African lions, though in decline, are not currently listed as endangered, and it's a lengthy process to evaluate a given species. Legislation in the U.S. could be especially impactful, as approximately 60% of lions killed for sport in Africa are imported to the U.S. as trophies.
http://mashable.com/2015/08/01/poaching-conservation-parks/
http://mashable.com/2015/08/01/poaching-conservation-parks/
12
Fines mean nothing to wealthy animal killers. Walter J. Palmer, the twisted dentist who murdered Cecil, paid a fine for illegally hunting a black bear.
Anyone who can pay $55,000 to travel to Africa to kill a lion will not be deterred by a fine. Fines will not be a sufficient deterrent --- mandatory prison sentences are needed. Come on, a country that has 600,000 people behind bars for possessing a harmless beneficial medicinal plant, cannabis, and other so-called controlled substances ought to be able to impose even greater sentences for the murderers of the last of the world's wildlife.
I personally would make exceptions to my usual opposition to the death penalty for anyone who murders an elephant, a lion, a cheetah, a rhino, a giraffe, zebra, or any other endangered or threatened species. Hunters should thank their lucky stars that I am not in charge of enforcing CITES or other animal protection laws.
Anyone who can pay $55,000 to travel to Africa to kill a lion will not be deterred by a fine. Fines will not be a sufficient deterrent --- mandatory prison sentences are needed. Come on, a country that has 600,000 people behind bars for possessing a harmless beneficial medicinal plant, cannabis, and other so-called controlled substances ought to be able to impose even greater sentences for the murderers of the last of the world's wildlife.
I personally would make exceptions to my usual opposition to the death penalty for anyone who murders an elephant, a lion, a cheetah, a rhino, a giraffe, zebra, or any other endangered or threatened species. Hunters should thank their lucky stars that I am not in charge of enforcing CITES or other animal protection laws.
6
Couldn't we do better than a fine?
1
Let's STOP calling them "hunting trophies" and call them "dead animal carcasses" or "murdered animal hides" etc. The euphemism "trophy" makes it sound like a game or a sport, which it hardly is....anyone with a weapon can aim it and fire. The animals don't stand a chance. "Trophy" sounds exciting and victorious....this term BY ITSELF attracts exactly the types of insecure and foolish, vain humans who think a "trophy" means they have "won". Really getting terminology RIGHT in the first place is SO important!!
121
RIGHT ON . there has to be a better way to have "fun" than kill a beautiful innocent animal.
15
Salute to Delta has the might to do right. At this day and age, this trophy "hunting" ought to be out-lawed. The money generated by eco-tourism has proved to be far more enrichment than payouts from the egotistical selfish few. Those that claim to have the right to "take" magnificent creatures merely have lost their souls. We suffer because of their wantant waste. There is, after all, absolutely nothing good in killing for fun.
40
FEDEX, UPS, USPS, DHL - I don't hear you!
37
South African Airlines too
3
Thank you Delta!!!! I plan on changing ALL my air travel to you!
10
Thanks to the outrage, at least the airlines are recognizing that the notion of killing for a mere trophy is outdated and should be ended.
16
The fees to hunt in Africa support the game preserves that keep the species alive, and the guides and their families fed, and the poachers at bay. It's really akin to ranching. To hunt lion per CNN, $49,000.
While some of you may run to your lettuce and kale, I also can't understand why elk and deer hunting isn't more popular here. Both are grass fed, steroid and antibiotic-free meat. I'm not a trophy hunter, but we are up to our backsides in deer.
While some of you may run to your lettuce and kale, I also can't understand why elk and deer hunting isn't more popular here. Both are grass fed, steroid and antibiotic-free meat. I'm not a trophy hunter, but we are up to our backsides in deer.
Dear Ryan,
If this article is correct, less than 3% of the monies paid to hunt return to the local economy. So, why not donate to the game preserves directly? You are also combining senseless trophy hunting with hunting for food or culling herds of animals that are overpopulated. This is certainly not the case with most big game animals who are hunted so their heads can hang on someone's wall. Wouldn't it be great if big game hunters gave up their crossbows and guns and learned how to track and photograph animals? That way, their pursuit of big game could be enjoyed by all.
If this article is correct, less than 3% of the monies paid to hunt return to the local economy. So, why not donate to the game preserves directly? You are also combining senseless trophy hunting with hunting for food or culling herds of animals that are overpopulated. This is certainly not the case with most big game animals who are hunted so their heads can hang on someone's wall. Wouldn't it be great if big game hunters gave up their crossbows and guns and learned how to track and photograph animals? That way, their pursuit of big game could be enjoyed by all.
14
Get a grip!!!
6
Right. If these trophy hunters and "safari" companies are so concerned about wildlife, why don't they simply contribute the money to conservation efforts instead of killing just out of selfish, personal pleasure to satisfy someone's fantasy of "sport"? (And, I would bet anything that very little money trickles down to conservation after the profits are taken by companies like BUSHMEN SAFARIS.)
8
I have an idea - lets also ban the killing of blacks in Newark, NJ.
Why stop at the lion? Surely those people are just as important, no?
Why stop at the lion? Surely those people are just as important, no?
4
Put the dentist in a cage with some of Cecil's relatives, and let's see how many cleanings, flossings, and fillings he gets to do before he's a meal.
44
Actually, if I'm not mistaken Dr. Palmer is not just your ordinary dentist doing fillings and the like. It was made clear in one article I read that he is a Cosmetic Dentist. No wonder he has $50,000 to pay to shoot a lion.
1
Congrats to Delta Airlines! Will make a lot of difference from now on....
8
Yes, Delta Airlines, stick to this decision.
9
I can understand hunting a deer to feed your family, but these people that need to kill a large animal to put there heads on the wall are sick to the core, and dragging a dead animal with a car to get the animal to follow I would not classify that a hunting by any means, these people probably have tiny tiny pee pees
64
I fly Delta frequently and was ready to switch airlines. I'm glad they changed their policy, and I can now continue to fly with them. Better late than never, Delta. Thanks for making the right choice.
15
So proud that Delta has become first US airline to ban transport of big game animal trophies. I would hope that United and American will do likewise, even though they have respectively limited and no service to Africa but numerous routes to Asia and South America, where US hunters go to "bag" tigers and jaguars as well as other trophy wildlife.
Another way the airlines could show their commitment to ending the brutal heavily American penchant for collecting trophy animals is to offer free flights back to any nation that wants to extradite US or other foreign hunters. Since the lion kill of Cecil and another majestic lion in Zimbabwe may have broken its laws, requests to extradite Dentist Walter Palmer and Oncologist Jan Seski should be honored and expedited so that it can be properly determined if these cowardly killings can be avenged.
Another way the airlines could show their commitment to ending the brutal heavily American penchant for collecting trophy animals is to offer free flights back to any nation that wants to extradite US or other foreign hunters. Since the lion kill of Cecil and another majestic lion in Zimbabwe may have broken its laws, requests to extradite Dentist Walter Palmer and Oncologist Jan Seski should be honored and expedited so that it can be properly determined if these cowardly killings can be avenged.
15
Apparently the author of the article is in favor of a ban on punctuation. While commas may be endangered species in need of protection, something has to be done about the overbreeding of semicolons. Once prized for their rarity, they have been introduced as invasive species and are now taking over entirely unnatural habitats, to the great detriment of indigenous language...
8
I wish these spineless politicians would crawl from under the stone and stop this barbaric act. It's takes a few hours to get this thing started. I am sure taking their hands out of the pocket of their bosses would not hurt their career badly.
12
No dead animals should be allowed to fly unless the heroic trophy hunter occupies the same crate.
23
We have to shame the politicians who don't have enough brain to stop these barbaric acts . If blumenthal and Melendez offer legislation to stop trophy hunting, then we will start shaming those who vote against it
19
Hmmm, another story about a guy who legally killed a lion in Africa.
But no coverage on how to prevent another killing of an American woman by a convicted illegal alien.
No coverage on the killers of two police officers in recent weeks during traffic stops.
Well, no worry, this shows the ethics and mindset of the NYT better than I can ever explain to others on my own.
Thank you for that.
But no coverage on how to prevent another killing of an American woman by a convicted illegal alien.
No coverage on the killers of two police officers in recent weeks during traffic stops.
Well, no worry, this shows the ethics and mindset of the NYT better than I can ever explain to others on my own.
Thank you for that.
5
Be careful, your obvious Rush Limbaugh-faux news- is showing.
17
The stories you mention here were covered by the New York Times, along with every mainstream media outlet in the country.
Only Fox News used those tragedies to fill their airwaves and fire up the GOP base. Others just try to report the news.
What do you think the "ethics" are of a man who defies the law to lure a lion away from protected space in order to behead and skin the animal. Isn't that the same "outrage" we hear from the GOP about the "terrorists"?
Only Fox News used those tragedies to fill their airwaves and fire up the GOP base. Others just try to report the news.
What do you think the "ethics" are of a man who defies the law to lure a lion away from protected space in order to behead and skin the animal. Isn't that the same "outrage" we hear from the GOP about the "terrorists"?
17
I am sorry that you miss the point totally. It is possible for humans to care about more than one thing. They are not mutually exclusive.
Also - there was nothing legal about this killing and if you had taken as much time to read about it as you have taken to comment then you would know that.
Also - there was nothing legal about this killing and if you had taken as much time to read about it as you have taken to comment then you would know that.
4
Many of the people who can afford to pay $50,000 for a hunting trip can also afford to rent a private jet (if they don't already own a private jet or two). These people don't fly on the airlines anyway.
12
are you kidding me? How twisted are we to worry more about a lion than the selling of aborted fetuses ( yes babies ) then an animal. Sad that we value a lion's life more than human life! Sad state of affairs America! Coward murderers, how about planned parenthood? Why turn your head there, they clearly offer a bounty!
Quit changing the subject. Human life is in no way endangered, not in any way that comes anywhere near approaching the same time zone of endangered as that of big game animals. In the grand global scheme of things, I happen to believe that it is right and proper to value an adult lion's life more than the life of a fetus that either died in the womb or died because the woman carrying it made the difficult and personal decision to end her pregnancy. Get off your twisted high horse, Rich, and realize that you are not special or in control. There is nothing sad or cowardly about putting a high value on a lion's life in this day and age.
26
Lions are in danger of extinction. Humans are not. And the sue of aborted fetuses by medical science holds promise of curing some horrible diseases, such as ALS, which often kills by suffocation.
Furthermore, fetuses don't feel pain or discomfort. They are almost certainly not conscious.
Furthermore, fetuses don't feel pain or discomfort. They are almost certainly not conscious.
18
THEY ARE NOT SOLD....and fetal tissue (and no, fetuses are NOT "babies") is critical to research on deadly diseases, one of which might strike you or one of your loved ones, and be successfully treated due to such research.
19
Unethical Trophy hunting will be banned because if not our world wildlife will be completely destroyed and gone forever.
If they do not eat the animals they kill ,those unethical hunters might as well try their arrows on cockroaches and Dengue mosquitoes.
If they do not eat the animals they kill ,those unethical hunters might as well try their arrows on cockroaches and Dengue mosquitoes.
16
Most poachers are shot on sight. This person deserves the same. Or at the very least many years in prison. This person is a heinous villain.
35
There was a lot of conservative outrage about the public outrage about trophy hunting. But this change in policy is exactly why people need to express their condemnation about selfish actions like trophy hunting which allow the individual to display a head in their hunting lodge...at the risk of preventing our grandchildren and great-grandchildren from living in a world where those animals exist in the wild.
34
Should they stop flying to Thailand where people visit just for the underage girls?
5
CK - given the travel for that purpose has been going on for decades and more, with zero concern on these pages - yet there are endless stories about this lion, one can only assume where the ideals of the NYT and many of its reader lay.
1
Yes,they should stop flying pedophiles to the scenes of their crimes, don't you think?
I am an environmentalist and a vegetarian, but this article has put me in the position of having to defend hunting. Poaching is wrong. Killing endangered or threatened species, or pregnant animals, for sport is unethical. Hunting without permits and outside designated time/seasons is problematic. However, hunting itself is not unethical or problematic. In fact, hunters make some of the best conservationists. If 15000 thousand tourists are traveling to hunt lions... that makes lions very valuable. It makes lions a priority and African countries will protect lions. Moreover, hunting permits help pay for conservation initiatives that help parks and other species. Hunters are the last people that want to see lions and their natural ecosystem go extinct! I support regulated and controlled hunting. North American treatment of farm animals and the existence of slaughter houses... that is another story. And perhaps a more important story.
11
Good points. I think it was Paul McCartney who said, "If slaughter houses had glass walls, we'd all be vegetarians." Maybe not "all," but many more.
A better way to ensure their conservation is by having governments big and small contribute resources for this work. The UN is now taking this subject up, explicitly signaling that this a universal concern that requires a global effort.
I agree with you in theory, but these beautiful creatures don't inhabit the Black Forest of Germany or the plains of the U.S. If this were the case enforcement of such quotas would not be the concern it is. These and other developing countries where poaching, illegal logging, and other outrages persist do not have the enforcement structures that they desperately need.
Once in place, I will have no problem agreeing with you...but we still have a long way to go.
I agree with you in theory, but these beautiful creatures don't inhabit the Black Forest of Germany or the plains of the U.S. If this were the case enforcement of such quotas would not be the concern it is. These and other developing countries where poaching, illegal logging, and other outrages persist do not have the enforcement structures that they desperately need.
Once in place, I will have no problem agreeing with you...but we still have a long way to go.
Ridiculous. If they sell 15000 permits there will soon be no lion left. Also killing an animal that is not for food or one that does not pose an imminent danger is evil.. yes - I used the "e" word.
Also - please don't give me that hunters are the last one to want to see them die off. Tell that to tigers and wolves and even lions that were completed extirpated by hunting in many places.
Also - please don't give me that hunters are the last one to want to see them die off. Tell that to tigers and wolves and even lions that were completed extirpated by hunting in many places.
3
Because we need the executives of America's fourth-best (Forbes ratings) airline company to teach us what is good and what is evil?
2
We know the name of the lion, but not the man who killed him. Make his name public, so he can live in fear for the rest of his pathetic life.
4
His name is Walter J. Palmer, and it's been published so widely that he's had to go into hiding. There's some noise Zimbabwe about extraditing him. I'd be happy to join an expedition to lure him out of his lair.
12
In addition to banning the transporting of hunting trophies they should also ban the hunters on flights let them walk home with the Hunting Trophy on a hand truck
11
Congratulations to Delta. What I find particularly creepy about these two medical "professionals" is that they use a method of hunting which apparently causes these animals to suffer at length. Now the good folks of Pittsburgh knows that their gynecologist walks around his home wearing a holstered pistol, and the dentist is so brave he is hiding. Anybody who thinks this is responsible hunting, just needs to take a look at the two women hunters on the net, one lying next to a dying giraffe and the other one from Idaho who apparently is a committed sadist. Nice to know they are all Americans.
28
I have been on safaris (although not a hunter) all over Africa. The guide leads and what he says go so I believe these men were either lied to or lead astray and the guides were opportunists $$$. Unfortunately Cecil (I have seen) is dead and more endangered species are at risk. This must stop but there should not be open season on medical doctors and dentists.
3
We have a worldwide epidemic of outrage. I'm outraged about it.
7
Humans are an ongoing lethal threat to every other species on this planet. Here in the US we are not just content to farm, kill and process 10 billion animals for (happy!?) meals and snacks every year. Unfortunately even endangered species and animals of the wild generally are no match for the killing appetite of thousands of our citizens. What kind of brutal alien species would look at Cecil and sees him as a decapitation object whose head would look good on a wall in his home? Human?
88
Good for the airlines banning shipment of these trophy kills, what amazes me is this man was a dentist making life more comfortable for people and the other doctor who shot the other lion is an Oncologist! I would not want to be treated by either of these killers.
57
Whilst Cecil's death is a abhoing, the continuous murdering of white South African farmers doesn't get the same amount of public attention as the killing of one lion.
This is disturbing.
This is disturbing.
2
These farmer killings are very disturbing. But they are a consequence of the brutal era of apartheid; thanks to President Mandela it is remarkable and unprecedented that the (foreign) minority who, for centuries, and until recently, perpetrated this outrage on the general native population were not ALL rounded up and punished severely. It will take generations for relations to heal completely and hopefully law and order will prevail. What possible excuse could this dentist have for decapitating Cecil?
1
Human stupidity and lack of common sense is something ONLY humans should pay, NOT lions or any other wild animal who mind their business in their own territory. Human arrogance is the big problem here.
1
How about a world-wide ban on ALL murder as sport. Anyone that "hunts" something that can't shoot back is a coward and a murderer.
I'll bet that the dentist was never in the military and never shot at an "animal" that might just shoot back.
I'll bet that the dentist was never in the military and never shot at an "animal" that might just shoot back.
87
Obviously the poaching of Cecil by an unethical "hunter" was wrong, but your sarcastic comment would suggest throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In our country (USA) one of the greatest species comebacks of the 20th century, that of the wild turkey, was a result of legal/ethical hunting. Similarly, the legalization of white rhinoceros hunting in South Africa motivated private landowners to reintroduce the species onto their lands. As a result, the country saw an increase in white rhinos from fewer than one hundred individuals to more than 11,000, even while a limited number were killed as trophies. When done correctly, the promoting of ethical and legal hunting is a significant tool for conservation. Teddy Roosevelt recognized this, group like Trout Unlimited & The Turkey Federation recognize this and true conservationist recognize this. Your comment only serves to divide and doesn't help with the problem.
12
Mike's right, since we wiped out so many predators, we are at the point where if we do not hunt many species of herbivores, they don't have enough natural predators, will overbreed, and will starve. So hunting is vital for certain species, not for predators generally. Also it'll become necessary to hunt humans soon too for much the same reasons.
5
Nevertheless, Mike from Pelham, these people can promote conservation better by simply donating money to the habitats of these creatures. That's assuming that they care, even remotely, about them. Why not switch to a less harmful way to engage, such as photography? How about meticulously tracking these animals until they find the perfect light, the perfect backdrop, the perfect action shot? Do they really have to draw blood and take life? If photography or cinematography had been promoted, we would have 11000 plus white rhinos and people all around the world could ooh and ah over what was hunted down harmlessly and captured on film.
2
Those airline that refuse to ban carrying trophy hunting carcasses should at least charge the hunters big fees, then donate the majority of the fees to conservation efforts.
3
Good point, as they are currently donating those fees to their bottom line. The airlines should not profit off hunting.
3
The right decision. Progress is being made step by step on humane causes. Next - free the NYC carriage horses.
9
Dear Alan,
Sorry but all 50 or so of the NYC carriage horses are completely unimportant in the big picture. They're saved from auction to slaughterhouses, so ban them and their replacements will simply be dog food instead. Horses are not endangered at all either.
Sorry but all 50 or so of the NYC carriage horses are completely unimportant in the big picture. They're saved from auction to slaughterhouses, so ban them and their replacements will simply be dog food instead. Horses are not endangered at all either.
5
We have carriage horses here in Chicago and I don't understand the reasoning behind wanting to ban them. Here they have very strict rules of how long they can work, if it is too hot or too cold they can't work.. The horses are not pulling a heavy load, so they are not tired. If you ban them then you think they are just going to live out their retirement on a farm? Unfortunately, they'll probably go to the glue factory. Maybe in New York they are abused, but not here.
6
Hey Alan! I saw one of those carriage horses shot with a bow and arrow, then hunted 40 hours thru Central Park before being shot. Then these mean cab drivers cut his head off (probably to put in some Mafia guy's bedroom) and skinned the carcass to sell in Chinatown. As well as part of the meat (watch out for Dim Sum next week). So let's free the carriage horses, to live in your backyard. I'm sure you can spend the $800.00 a month EACH to feed them, clean their stalls, provide for their medical and dental care, and keep them groomed. Oh, dont forget to keep their stalls warm at night and make sure they arent so bored they eat your house siding. They could also be sent to be free in Mexico. They love horses there:)
4
I am glad to see effort put into stopping killing for sport of endangered animals, but I think the conversation needs to trend back to how do we stop the poaching of these animals. Poaching is the number 1 threat to many species, along with expansion of human urban environments and climate change. So stopping sport hunters may be the easiest method, why don't we talk about further protection.
45
Excellent. Now if only they could ban Dr. Palmer...
40
Where is the head and skin of Cecil the lion now? After the American dentist discovered that the lion he killed was wearing a collar, he should have contacted authorities to tell them of his mistake; if indeed, it was a "mistake". Instead, he beheaded and skinned a protected lion, left the carcass and took off with his illegal "trophy". Disgusting! If it were truly a mistake, he wouldn't have done this. The head and skin of Cecil should be returned to Zimbabwe and buried: NOT HUNG ON A WALL! I have yet to see anyone demanding the return of the remains of Cecil to Africa, so I am asking that the media and people join in on pressuring for the return of Cecil's remains to his home country.
107
You don't read much - the head and carcass were turned into the Zimbabwe officials by the safari guide. They are not hanging on his wall.
4
Palmer has history of illegal
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/cecil-lion-killer-walter-james-palmer-... hunting and lying about it.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/cecil-lion-killer-walter-james-palmer-... hunting and lying about it.
27
The head and skin of the beloved Cecil are probably hidden, along with the cowardly dentist. Such a big brave hunter and now he is in hiding. The killing of Cecil is sickening beyond belief. I hope the dentist loses his practice as punishment.
7
So, now, we must persuade China and the nuts in Asia that the horn of the black or white rhino will not do it for them...
The enemy is we two legged animals on the planet.
The enemy is we two legged animals on the planet.
106
We need to add elephants to that list. Ivory? NO!
1
Thank you to all the airlines who are doing their part to stop the shameful slaughter of endangered animals. I hope the Times will continue to publicize how we can finally put an end to these disgusting luxury killing sprees.
31
It's a little shocking to see in such florid display the self-righteousness combined with hypocrisy of these comments.
How many animals have been sacrificed today purely for the eating pleasure of these commenters? Everyone knows that we can live perfectly well by eating exclusively animal products.
How many animals have each of these fine, upstanding moralizers had killed just this year so that they might experience the gluttonous joy of consuming the corpse of an animal?
I find these people as disgusting as they find big game hunters -- except, of course, that big game hunters aren't the hypocrites they are.
How many animals have been sacrificed today purely for the eating pleasure of these commenters? Everyone knows that we can live perfectly well by eating exclusively animal products.
How many animals have each of these fine, upstanding moralizers had killed just this year so that they might experience the gluttonous joy of consuming the corpse of an animal?
I find these people as disgusting as they find big game hunters -- except, of course, that big game hunters aren't the hypocrites they are.
7
I'm vegan, and I encourage other people to be vegan too. We don't need to eat animals to live.
7
Dude, pigs and chickens are raised for meat, not hunted in the wild, and they're not endangered at all. The hypocrisy you seek just isn't here. And I know, vegetarians love to be holier-than-thou, but really we omnivores don't care. The deal with hunting big game is not that they're living animals, it's that they're endangered and we'll drive them to extinction. Chickens are in no such danger.
49
I meant,
exclusively vegetable products...
exclusively vegetable products...
1
Good news, but I would feel better if major air cargo carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL also took this step.
174
you can't FedEx a lion's head - it's too big.
1
Does anyone know the policies of these cargo carriers? Have they not banned the shipment of these trophies?
I know big-game hunting can be seen as cruel, one should understand the benefits that the sport brings to animal conservation.
Without the costly licenses and fees which hunters must pay before their hunt, conservation groups would be unable to carry out their valuable programs which are used to support various species.
It is my hope that the controversy surrounding the hunting of Cecil will shine a light on more important - and dire - issues, such as the destruction of these animals natural habitat brought on by humans.
We are over-fishing our seas and relying on factory-farms to feed our population growth, which are only blips on the radar of media outlets. But when a "famous lion" is hunted, the individuals involved are thrown into the spotlight by social media, only to be exacerbated by news-outlets.
What will the next 1-week social-trend be?
Without the costly licenses and fees which hunters must pay before their hunt, conservation groups would be unable to carry out their valuable programs which are used to support various species.
It is my hope that the controversy surrounding the hunting of Cecil will shine a light on more important - and dire - issues, such as the destruction of these animals natural habitat brought on by humans.
We are over-fishing our seas and relying on factory-farms to feed our population growth, which are only blips on the radar of media outlets. But when a "famous lion" is hunted, the individuals involved are thrown into the spotlight by social media, only to be exacerbated by news-outlets.
What will the next 1-week social-trend be?
8
Hey, this is a way better 1-week social-trend than that week devoted to Miley Cyrus's twerking. You have to give credit when there is emphasis on one of the most important issues right now that is not given as much publicity it needs, conservation.
16
How ridiculous! Those fees do little to help with conservation. Much more effective at conservation are game preserves where animals are protected and tourists can go to see them. The same animals bring in conservation money over and over--as is not the case when you kill them.
55
The killing of Cecil, with only his brother Jericho left to defend Cecil's cubs, is a probable death sentence to the cubs due to one male lion not being enough defense against predatory male lions in the area - according to one wildlife expert. Also, it has been reported that the size of lions has decreased over time partially due to trophy hunters picking the biggest for their sport and interrupting the natural selection cycle. Whether these reports are true it brings up questions regarding the 'benefit' of trophy hunting to conservation. A much better benefit is the 1-week-social-media craze and the donations resulting from it.
30
All other air lines should follow their example. We need to boycott those that don't.
44
What we need to do is make trophy hunting illegal under U.S. law. It's shameful that most of the nutjobs doing this killing are American.
153
Well B. Mull, that's not entirely true. Most of the nutjobs who pay top dollar to fly to Africa to kill big things so they can feel potent again are American. But most of the killing of endangered species is done by Africans, generally for Chinese markets.
13
PS: naturally I meant most of the killing of endangered species in Africa; all over the world it's really hard to say who's killing the most. Quite possibly Brazil is with their annihilation of rainforest, because they're making species extinct before we even discover them.
1
As my mother would say, way more money than brains....
3
The writet says:
"... according to Conservation Force, a nonprofit group that advocates responsible hunting..." - what is responsible hunting exactly when it comes to these big game hunts in Africa? How journalistically unsophisticated of the writer to simply copy and paste their marketing-speak without pointing out how nonsensical it is. Hey editors, send this guy back to The North Dakota Tribune or wherever you found him.
"... according to Conservation Force, a nonprofit group that advocates responsible hunting..." - what is responsible hunting exactly when it comes to these big game hunts in Africa? How journalistically unsophisticated of the writer to simply copy and paste their marketing-speak without pointing out how nonsensical it is. Hey editors, send this guy back to The North Dakota Tribune or wherever you found him.
26
Extradite Walter Palmer to Zimbabwe. It is the only way justice will be served. And a big thank you to all airlines who no longer transport big game trophies!
124
How about a fair trade of Dr. Walter Palmer to Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe to the criminal court in the Hague.
14
Bravo for Delta. I am a bit surprised that the article says that company was a holdout as Delta was the first airline to bite the bullet and unilaterally ban smoking on all of its international, as well as domestic, flights. Other airlines kept putting off such a move as each was afraid of losing Japanese and European customers. After Delta did it, without losing a lot of business, they all fell into lineSmoking on US domestic flights had been banned by the FAA a few years earlier after Northwest had done so unilaterally on its domestic flights.
Let's hope the remaining major carriers follow suit this time. Someone should put out a list of the remaining air carriers that do not have bans on transporting game trophies so that the rest of us can place our business elsewhere.
Let's hope the remaining major carriers follow suit this time. Someone should put out a list of the remaining air carriers that do not have bans on transporting game trophies so that the rest of us can place our business elsewhere.
28
I am shocked to read that 11 African countries issue lion-hunting licenses. Even more shocked to read that 15,000 Americans go on hunting safaris in Africa every year.
88
As a platinum medallion flyer on Delta, I couldn't be happier. Thank you Delta.
46
How about ending all hunting for sport? Where there is insufficient natural predation, hire rangers to cull the herds and distribute or sell the meat. And the proper population levels, which won't damage the environment, will be far below what the hunters like, which assures them a kill. We are an urban society; time to act like one. This from someone who served in the infantry and handled firearms all his adult life.
68
First of all thank you for your services.secondly yes killing this lion was extremely wrong. But why would you take away the ability for hunters like my self who pay for a license to go out and hunt for the meat that feeds their familys. I can promise you that if we would hire "rangers" to go out and kill the deer ect. For people they would be killing the animals in the same exact way. Yes hunting/shooting can be a sport for some people but what about the people who hunt to feed there family's?
3
You write like someone who does not appreciate rural life. Hunting is part of the culture in many parts of the country. In much of Pennsylvania it is hunting that helps diminish the overpopulation of deer. I agree with Kourtney, that many people rely on the animals they hunt to put dinner on the table. For you to suggest that another government program using "rangers" and wasting tax payer dollars would suffice is misguided. Also just because I support hunting does not mean I support the arrogant trophy hunters who kill threatened species to admire the heads plastered on the walls of their mancaves.
8
there is something wrong with you if you have to hunt animals to feed your family in the age of walmart.... surely you have the modern resources to log on to the internet, then why not drive to a nearby store for food like the rest of the civilized world?
4
United flies from Houston to Lagos, so not true that Delta are the only US airline with service to Africa.
7
I think we actually should still allow big-game hunting. But to make it fair, the big-game macho hunter must be armed solely with the thighbone of an antelope. If he can take down a lion or rhino with that, he gets to wear the skin, if not, they get to eat him. Get enough people into it and it could cut back on humanity's numbers pretty well, which is always helpful for the planet.
205
I agree!! Hunting should only be considered a sport in cases where the hunted animal has a fair chance to be the victor.
15
Obviously the poaching of Cecil by an unethical "hunter" was wrong, but your sarcastic comment would suggest throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In our country (USA) one of the greatest species comebacks of the 20th century, that of the wild turkey, was a result of legal/ethical hunting. Similarly, the legalization of white rhinoceros hunting in South Africa motivated private landowners to reintroduce the species onto their lands. As a result, the country saw an increase in white rhinos from fewer than one hundred individuals to more than 11,000, even while a limited number were killed as trophies. When done correctly, the promoting of ethical and legal hunting is a significant tool for conservation. Teddy Roosevelt recognized this, group like Trout Unlimited & The Turkey Federation recognize this and true conservationist recognize this. Your comment only serves to divide and doesn't help with the problem.
1
@Dan
But, I think the thighbone is a clear, unfair advantage.
Let Homo Sapiens use his tiny hands/canine teeth against the paws and canines of his feral opponents. More humane.
But, I think the thighbone is a clear, unfair advantage.
Let Homo Sapiens use his tiny hands/canine teeth against the paws and canines of his feral opponents. More humane.
1
The best news I've heard all day. Thank you, Delta Airlines, for this act.
30
This ban is an excellent opportunity to thank Delta for their decision, and to ask remaining airlines still shipping dead animal parts to cease doing so immediately.
126
First the US, and now the entire World - ground under the heel of the Internet mob!
6
Don't be absurd. The Internet just makes it easier for people to connect and take action--sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly, but there is certainly no one "mob." I for one am immensely gratified that the inflated egos of trophy-hunters who ravish the wildlife in developing countries are getting punctured.
96
As you appear to have access to a computer, one would assume you have access to the Internet also, and hence an opportunity to join the mob of a contrary view.
25
Totally agree, just a total mob mentality, because the killing of keystone, extremely unique predators that occur in heavily threatened environmental areas deserves none of our attention. Instead, lets placate our minds and root inconsequentially for our home team on ESPN all day as our planet goes to waste, and give future generations a barren Earth.
58
Hoorray for Delta. This is the right thing.
66