Animal lovers and in particular, big cat lovers around the world were horrified when it was revealed that a much beloved and researched lion was lured out of a protected area in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and killed. Cecil's death was a sad, horrific and illegal event, but it has opened people's eyes, minds and pocketbooks and that is the up side.

The decimation of endangered species around the globe is now back in the international spotlight and at the very least the conversation about it has been re-energized. Lion populations have dwindled from over 450,000 back in 1940 (according to National Geographic's Big Cat Initiative) to under 30,000 today. The reasons are many; including poaching, conflicts with local villagers, trophy hunters, diminished prey numbers and habitat destruction, to name but a few.

And don't even get me started on "canned hunting"! This heinous concept is the practice of raising lions in captivity and while they're young they are used as tourist attractions in glorified petting zoos. As adults they are released into fenced areas, with no escape and killed by trophy hunters in jeeps with high-powered rifles and cross bows. These "lion farmers" also supply lion parts to the thriving Far East traditional medicine market. In fact, there are more lions raised in captivity in Africa than there are left in the wild!

I have nothing against hunting- for food. Trophy hunting, on the other hand, is something I've never understood. The killing of majestic, endangered animals for pleasure or profit is simply wrong to me. But protecting lions will require much more than restricting or eliminating this kind of hunting.

I know that there are many people who don't understand the uproar precipitated by Cecil's killing. I've heard and read comments like, "Who cares about some lion in Africa? What about all the abused, murdered children in the world? What about the illegal drug trade, the precarious geo-political and economic situation around the globe? Terrorism, foreign and domestic?", etc.

Yes the number of items on the "much-worse-than list" are numerous. I agree that all of these issues and many more need to be addressed, but I also contend that how we as humans treat other species has significance and informs our behavior toward each other. One horrible act doesn't make another equally grisly but different deed any less abhorrent.

To that end, World Lion Day is Monday, August 10, 2015. The reason for this first global campaign is, according to WorldLionDay.com:

...to celebrate the importance of the lion worldwide. Since the dawn of man the lion has played an integral role in our lives: symbolically, religiously, culturally, economically and biologically. To lose the lion from our world would be to lose part of our global heritage."

There are a number of ways you can get involved in this conservation cause and National Geographic's Big Cat Initiative is a good one. Their "High Five" site allows you to donate $5 directly to the cause. And this article by writer and photographer Susan Portnoy has information on many other groups working to save the lions of Africa.

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