The Pros And Cons Of Trophy Hunting

The topic of big game trophy hunting has always been highly debated and controversial. Many people are opposed to the hunting of animals as a pastime; however others argue that trophy hunting is beneficial in the long run, due to the money the hunting brings in for protection and conservation efforts for endangered animals. On July 6th, 2015 the killing of Cecil the Lion by American dentist, Dr. Walter Palmer has heightened the debate of whether or not trophy hunting should have more regulations. Dr. Palmer traveled to Zimbabwe, Africa on the hunt for lions. He reportedly paid about $55,000 to be allowed the opportunity to seek out the big game (Melvin). Palmer lured Cecil out of the national park where he resided, with food, and shot him with a bow and arrow. Forty hours later Palmer shot Cecil with a gun and ended the big cat’s life …show more content…
Palmer after the report of the killing of Cecil by Americans and African citizens alike. They all felt that killing wild animals for sport and as trophies is inhumane and need to be more closely regulated by the governments and organizations that help protect wildlife. Cecil was also no ordinary, wild lion. He was a “participant in a study conducted by Oxford University,” and even wore a GPS collar so he could be tracked as part of the study (Brumfield). Dr. Palmer spoke through a lawyer, stating that he didn’t know that the lion he had chose to hunt was part of a study or that he had hunted a lion that was a member of a National Park (Brumfield). Palmer also stated that he “relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt” (Brumfield). Palmer’s dentistry business has taken a toll due to public outrage of many of the people in his community, some of his community members have even gone to such lengths as to leave stuffed lion toys and photos of lions outside of his dentist office and home to show their fiery opposition to what Palmer has