If you are as angry as I and many other Americans are over the brutal and senseless killing of that wonderful animal known as Cecil the Lion here are positive ways you can do something concrete about it.
First you need to contact the Government of Zimbabwe. Their contact information is:
The Hon. S. Kasukuwere, Minister Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate
11th Floor Kaguvi Building,
Cnr 4th Street/Central Ave P Bag
7753 Causeway
Harare, CA
Tel: 04 700991–9
E-Mail: ministry@environment.gov.zw
You need to tell them they must fully prosecute Mr. Palmer, his guide and the farmer who allowed them to hunt Cecil on their land for any violation of existing laws concerning poaching and animal abuse. They must be made aware that this is now an international incident and if proper punishment is not meted out to the guilty parties a worldwide boycott could form. Also if they truly want to stop such incidents from happening again they must set the example by imposing long time prison sentences and fines on the offenders and if existing laws are not strong enough, make them stronger.
Then contact:
Mr. Dan Ashe, Director
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Svc.
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240
Phone: (202) 208-3100
E-Mail: feedback@ios.doi.gov
Web: Feedback form
Tell them:
-
We need the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to release their final rule on the listing of the African lion under the Endangered Species Act to help prevent imports of trophy animals killed in outrageous circumstances.
-
We also need USFWS to look into violations of the Lacey Act. If there have been, Mr. Palmer and any accomplices must be held fully accountable.
-
Officials in Zimbabwe already arrested two Zimbabweans. Public pressure must continue so they are held accountable as well as any business they were connected to – these bloody and violent trophy hunting businesses cannot get away with this cruelty.
Finally write the Governor of Minnesota and tell him actions speak louder than words when he commented about the killing saying, “Just horrible I’m just ed with that man". His contact information is:
Governor Mark Dayton Office Office of the Governor & Lt Governor
116 Veterans Service Building
20 W 12th Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
Telephone Numbers
Telephone: 651-201-3400
Toll Free: 800-657-3717
Minnesota Relay: 800-627-3529
Fax: 651-797-1850
e-mail: mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/
Tell him to tighten up on laws in his state that would restrict the importation of any animal or any parts thereof outside the United States. This would stop hunters from going overseas to do their trophy hunting and bringing the animal or its parts thereof back into the state for any reason.
Also shut down all zoos, particularly roadside ones and ship all the animals to an accredited animal sanctuary.
These are all positive ways we can honor Cecil so losing his life will not be in vain.