United Nations And US Government Investigating, Taking Action After Cecil The Lion Killed

The federal government is launching an investigation and the UN is taking action to reduce poaching after a US dentist killed a protected lion in Zimbabwe.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it will investigate the killing of a Zimbabwean lion known as Cecil, after a Minnesota dentist shot and forty hours later, killed the protected 13-year animal. Cecil was killed by a Minnesota dentist, Walter Palmer, who reportedly has gone into hiding.

“That investigation will take us wherever the facts lead,” Edward Grace, a deputy chief of law enforcement at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told the New York Times. “At this point in time, however, multiple efforts to contact Dr. Walter Palmer have been unsuccessful.” 

Meanwhile, the United Nations is seizing on the international outrage produced by the unauthorized killing to address illegal poaching, which it says is increasing at an alarming rate.

LOOK: Calls Mount For Dentist Who Shot Famous Lion To Death To Be Extradited

“The time to act is now,” Harald Braun, Germany’s representative to the UN, said today. “No one country, region or agency working alone will be able to succeed.” Braun stated illegal poaching is responsible for the deaths of over 700 rhinoceroses in South Africa alone, just this year.

The UN General Assembly, the Times notes, adopted a resolution today to address illegal poaching and tracking.

United Nations General Assembly President H.E. Sam Kutesa sent out this tweet today:

The General Assembly’s draft resolution, five pages in length (online here), states that “illicit trafficking in wildlife contributes to damage to ecosystems and rural livelihoods, including those based on ecotourism, undermines good governance and the rule of law and, in some cases, threatens national stability.”

It also says “the protection of wildlife”must be part of a comprehensive approach to achieving poverty eradication, food security, sustainable development, including the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, economic growth, social well–being and sustainable livelihoods,” observing that they are all tied together.

Last night, hundreds of Minnesotans protested at Walter Palmer’s dental office, calling for him to be extradited.  

A petition created by activist Scott Wooledge broke the 100,000 signatures mark in under 24 hours, requiring a response from the White House. That petition calls for the Obama administration to allow Zimbabwe to extradite Dr. Palmer. It’s now approaching 150,000 signatures. 

 

EARLIER:

Jimmy Kimmel Slams Hunter Who Killed Cecil The Lion: ‘That Difficult For You To Get An Erection?’

Ted Nugent On Cecil The Lion: ‘God Are People Stupid’ – ‘Story Is A Lie’ And A ‘Joke’

 

Image via Twitter