3 Things to Know About Cecil the Lion

Cecil was one of the most thoroughly studied lions in Africa. And thanks to him, we know several reasons why the death of one big cat can be a big deal.

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[FuckItSnoopy]

I'm generally fine with hunting as long as you eat whatever you kill. Better than factory farming at least. But just killing something so you can mount it's head as a decoration on your wall is dumb. I mean, it's not like the lion had a fair chance at defending himself. They lured him out and shot him in the face. Not only is sport hunting unnecessary, it's cowardly. If this dentist wants any respect, I challenge him to another lion hunt. This time, he has to track and kill the lion himself and can only use a vehicle to travel that has no top.

[eliross]

"Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they're in the game."
-Paul Rodriguez

[Icedpyro]

i honestly don't get the point of trophy hunting... Oh look at this thing i killed from 50-200 feet away with a high power weapon. I mean if its for the thrill of hunting do it in a way that isn't as easy as point and shoot.

[NexusEden]

I still can't get over the fact that this amazing animal was murdered by an intelligent (arguably) human (equally so) being. Trophy hunting...really?! You do know it's 2015 right? I can't even.

[FlySwann]

I just want to make it clear that there is a difference between trophy hunting and regulatory hunting. Trophy hunting is some with the intent to take the largest or most prized specimen of a species. While regulatory hunting is done with the intent to take specimens to regulate the population, which may be needed for many reasons the most common is to keep a species from out growing it's food supply.

[Ellimanist]

You know if the guy who did this wasn't doxxed and harassed by "vigilantes" I would be up in arms about this.  But as it stands now I refuse to side with people who believe that he should but tarred and

[Kezajaws]

My opinions on trophy hunting? Some I know would like to travel to Zimbabwe and trophy hunt the trophy hunters. Show them that it's not as fun when you're staring at a barrel and not down it. I have a better idea-make the hunters go to war against ISIS or something. Are they as brave when they're hunting something that can shoot back?

[gingerjester]

I feel sorry for Jericho. He lost his brothers to trophy hunters and ended up becoming life long best friends with the most unlikely of lions, only to eventually lose him to trophy hunters too.
I'm not entirely opposed to hunting though I could never do it myself. But if this was a movie humans are definitely the monsters to be feared by all. It's sad :(

[scabiniful]

I'm a vegetarian, so generally i'm against killing animals, but I understand that others have to eat meat to live healthy lives. But that's the thing: if you're going to kill an animal, eat it. Don't do it for fun or out of pride or vanity or ego.

[KatherineUribe-]

Thanks for the great info about lions...my favorite animal. I've been studying lions for the last couple of years and Cecil's death hit me hard. Thank you for taking the emotion out of it and explaining why each lion is important. Love this channel!

[TheWeakMinded]

inb4 'lets kill the hunters instead' comment spam

[valtur]

Let's make something like Hunger Games! Hunters hunting other hunters! That would be fun to watch on TV. It might lower down a bloodthirst of that psychopaths!

[annie]

I would say that hunting is only useful for population control like it's often done with deer. I don't feel like big game hunting for lions, elephants or similar creatures is productive given that hunting has actually culled the population down into endangered status.

[HalliHorror]

I saw on Good morning America this morning, they said Jerico(?) took over the pride as expected and did not kill any cubs.

[QuantumShock]

Regulate it, Enforce it, monitor it. And if someone breaks the rules about hunting, come down on them like a sack of shit.

[Embracesuck]

"It's one thing to kill a lion, it's another thing to kill a lion named Cecil" - Geoff

[KiDncuDi]

That story about Cecil and Jericho's past sounds like a dope ass movie.

[VictorMurp]

If you care about this lion dying then you really need to get your priorities straight

[ninearthify]

You know you're a fan when you thumbs up the video before watching it.

[WobblesandBean]

I wish more people took this seriously. With all the damage humankind has wrought upon the earth, I don't really understand why we haven't united as a species to try and improve it.