Cecil the lion appeal tops STG500,000

FILE - In this image takem from a November 2012 video made available by Paula French, a well-known, protected lion known as Cecil strolls around in Hwange National Park, in Hwange, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's wildlife minister says extradition is being sought for Walter Palmer, the American dentist who killed a Cecil. (Paula French via AP)
By Hannah Edensor


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

The Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Britain’s Oxford University, which had tracked Cecil since 2008, said on Tuesday that more than STG550,000 ($A1.2 million) had been received in donations over the past week.

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

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

The July 1 killing of 13-year-old Cecil, a resident of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, sparked international anger against wealthy US dentist Walter Palmer, who paid $US55,000 ($A75,550) for the hunt in which the lion was lured out of the park to be killed as a trophy.

The donations via WildCRU’s website will fund the training of local Zimbabwean conservationists, anti-poaching patrols, and tracking devices for the lions, which cost STG1500.

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

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

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

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